Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick Reflect on This Season, and the Challenges Going Forward

JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka met the media Tuesday in El Segundo following Monday's season-ending loss to the Thunder at Crypto.com. The disappointment was muted by, frankly, the inevitability of the result once Luka Dončić got hurt, and because of that it was easier to focus on the successful nature of the season. 53 wins, above expectations for most projections, and what would almost certainly have been a 3-seed if not for late injuries to Luka and Austin Reaves. They won a round in the playoffs against expectations, and over the course of the year continued to establish solid culture under Redick. The hard part, though, is coming. The Lakers have significant ambition, and a great deal of pressure to improve the team. Maybe not closing the gap between them and OKC in one summer, but making a lot of progress. Pelinka will have to do it with some potential cap space to work with, three first round picks he can trade and... not a whole lot else. The Lakers lack desirable contracts ...