Pau Gasol Urges Lakers to Keep Eyes on 2025 Season, Ignore Long-Term Questions
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Former Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol believes the franchise should concentrate solely on the current campaign and leave long-term planning to the front office.
Speaking to ESPN, the Hall of Famer said the roster assembled for the 2024-25 season deserves the organization’s full attention. “They have the team that they have this year and they’ve got to focus on this year and make the best out of it,” Gasol noted.
Expectations around Los Angeles remain uncertain. The club features two superstars in Luka Doncic, 26, and 40-year-old LeBron James, creating tension between immediate contention and future development. General manager Rob Pelinka bolstered the lineup through free agency—highlighted by the addition of center Deandre Ayton—but did not part with trade assets, leaving many players on short-term contracts.
Gasol, who captured titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010, argued that only on-court results matter. “They added great players… let the organization and management worry about the next few years,” he said.
Doncic, acquired in last season’s blockbuster deal and now the franchise cornerstone, has already expressed a desire to vie for championships immediately. Pelinka signed a contract extension over the summer and is tasked with surrounding the All-NBA guard with enough talent to contend annually.
Gasol Reflects on Buss Family’s Winning Culture
The Spanish great also praised the Buss family, crediting their decades-long stewardship for fostering a championship mindset that has produced 11 NBA titles. Gasol was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008 and formed a dominant tandem with the late Kobe Bryant, calling the period a defining chapter of his career.
Gasol delivered his comments on March 27, 2025, while attending the NCAA West Regional semifinal between Maryland and Florida at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Source: LakersNation.com
