The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off one of the best trades in NBA history by landing Luka Doncic, but still ended up getting bounced out of the first round of the playoffs.
With a huge offseason ahead, centered on how to compliment Doncic's game, keeping LeBron James and addressing other various needs, there is a lesser-known job opening for the Lakers.
As discussed on ESPN's "Get Up" on Wednesday, the Lakers are in search of a new head strength and conditioning coach. While this isn't a typical job search that usually makes headlines, the fact that the job opening was posted on TeamWork Online has created a buzz online, especially with some of the verbiage used.
One of the duties and responsibilities that they mocked was, "Effectively motivate athletes to achieve maximum potential in all areas of performance."
As one could imagine, fans also fired off some takes about the matter.
"critical offseason move," wrote one fan.
"How do they think NBA teams hire staff members," questioned another.
"bro why is this a topic?? am i missing something," asked one user.
"Needing somebody to come in to "motivate and hold players accountable" who's making MILLIONS of dollars don't sound crazy," chimed in a fourth.
"Oh Brother," said another.
"This is not a good look," wrote a sixth fan.
JJ Redick Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
While this may be a common practice for the Lakers when it comes to filling certain roles, ESPN's Jay Williams took it as a direct shot at Doncic, who is known to have questions about his physical condition.
“This is a massive insult,” Jay Williams stressed. “To say online that you’re looking for a strength and conditioning coach, that’s embarrassing. You don’t do that. You have private conversations with world-class conditioning coaches to say, ‘Hey, this is the right team we need around LeBron James and Luka.’ You don’t post that online!”
Following the conclusion of the team's season, first-year head coach JJ Redick did express that some players weren't in peak shape. Although he didn't single anyone out, many assumed he was talking about the five-time All-NBA guard whom they acquired from the Dallas Mavericks.
With Doncic playing for Slovenia in August's EuroBasket tournament, he should have no issues heading into next year, but all eyes will be on him when the regular season rolls around.