Lakers lick wounds, eye overhaul and boot camp

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said on Thursday the franchise is preparing for a busy summer as the club looks to rebuild its roster after a bitterly disappointing first round exit in the NBA playoffs.

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The Lakers bowed out of the postseason in front of their home fans on Wednesday, losing 103-96 as the Minnesota Timberwolves wrapped up an emphatic 4-1 series victory.

The manner of the series defeat — the second year running the Lakers have exited in the first round — highlighted the flaws in a squad which had arguably flattered to deceive by finishing third in the Western Conference behind the offensive potency of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

The arrival in Doncic in February in a jaw-dropping trade from Dallas breathed new life into the Lakers’ regular season campaign.

But the departure of Anthony Davis in the same deal left the Lakers desperately short of physical heft at both ends of the court, a weakness that was ruthlessly exposed by the Timberwolves and their giant French centre Rudy Gobert.