The defensive issues for the Los Angeles Lakers have been on full display as of late with JJ Redick’s team being run off the court multiple times over the past couple of weeks. The latest was a 24-point loss to the Phoenix Suns in which they allowed their opponents to shoot 59% from the field and 49% from 3-point range.
The Lakers currently rank 24th in defensive rating and dead last in 3-point percentage allowed. They are also near the bottom of the league in other categories such as points off turnovers allowed and defensive field goal percentage.
Whether it is the schemes being employed, the roster build or just a lack of effort, the Lakers obviously are having a ton of issues on that end of the court. Redick made that very clear and even brought up a recent instance in which a player had no idea what a basic defensive concept was called, via Dan Woike of The Athletic:
“We had a guy the other day who hasn’t played a lot, who didn’t know what a flood was in the middle of a game,” Redick said, referencing a common term for overloading the defense to the strong side of the court. “We clearly have some room to grow in that area.”
From point-of-attack defense to rim protection and clearing the glass to end the defensive possession, the Lakers are just not up to par in any facet of defense at the moment. This team doesn’t have the individual defensive stoppers who can really change the game defensively which means that as a group the Lakers have to be locked in on one accord and giving maximum effort at all times.
They have been able to do that in spurts, but not consistently which has been the issue this season for the Lakers. Redick’s anecdote about a player not knowing what flood meant doesn’t help matters either, but this team has to figure out a way to improve this defense or they will go nowhere when it matters most.
Lakers eyeing defensive wing upgrades on trade market
It seems very likely that improving the Lakers’ defense, particularly on the perimeter, will require some roster moves, which means they will need to make a trade. And the front office is reportedly eyeing the market for defensive wing upgrades with players such as Herb Jones and Keon Ellis being mentioned as potential options should they be made available and the Lakers can match the asking price.
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