What the Lakers Can Do Better Despite Being on Top of the West
The Lakers' trade for Luka Dončić has been a success because, despite LeBron James missing most of the season, they stand second in the Western Conference standings. The Lakers still have areas where they can improve, and one of them is their perimeter defense. Dončić and James sometimes struggle to stop quick guards, and the team would benefit from having perimeter defenders who can reduce the amount of energy those two expend on defense. Marcus Smart already fills part of that role, although another perimeter defender would be a welcome addition to the roster.
There’s been talk about Andrew Wiggins during the offseason, and he would be a solid pickup for the Lakers if they can make the deal work. He brings athleticism and size on the wing, which the Lakers currently lack. Wiggins is a distressed asset, so acquiring him will not be easy. The Lakers might have to move players such as Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, and the Heat could ask for a protected draft pick. If the Lakers want to improve through trades, targeting deals that involve second-round picks would be the most realistic path. Wiggins can be inconsistent, although he is capable of raising the team’s ceiling when motivated.
The Lakers' defense, particularly in the third quarter, often becomes sluggish. It is unclear why the team comes out of halftime looking slow, although they frequently allow scoring runs. For example, they might lead by 12 at halftime but then give up a 10 to two run early in the third quarter, which forces their stars to play heavy minutes to keep the game competitive. If they approached the start of the third quarter with the same intensity they show at the beginning of games, their results could improve. They cannot keep James on the court for extended minutes if they want to preserve his energy for the postseason. Winning can sometimes mask poor transition defense, since high offensive output forces opponents to inbound the ball, which slows their transition opportunities.
When the Lakers miss shots or turn the ball over, they do not always sprint back on defense. Instead, they often look toward referees for calls while opponents get easy layups, as has been seen with Dončić on several possessions. Once they miss or turn the ball over, transition chances for the opponent appear immediately, and the Lakers must develop the habit of sprinting back without hesitation. They need to improve their cross-matching speed. It is not just about getting back quickly but also about picking up the nearest ball handler, even if it is not the assigned man, to help contain the play. The Lakers are currently winning, although their transition defense could become a weakness in the postseason. That is an issue worth monitoring as the season continues.
