The Los Angeles Lakers have spent weeks drawing scrutiny for his or her inconsistency, defensive lapses, and inner stress. On many nights, they appear to be a staff headed towards a serious shakeup. But the standings inform a really totally different story.
Regardless of their struggles, the Lakers sit third within the Western Convention, a place that basically alters their commerce calculus. Quite than signaling panic, their file suggests alternative. For a franchise constructed round championships, being this excessive within the standings makes a deadline transfer extra doubtless, not much less.
Profitable sufficient to consider, dropping badly sufficient to fret
The Lakers’ final ten video games seize the contradiction completely. They’ve picked up high quality wins in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings, displaying they’ll rating in bunches and shut video games when execution is sharp.
On the identical time, their losses have been alarming. Blowout defeats in opposition to the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers spotlight a troubling sample. When the Lakers lose, they typically collapse defensively, providing little resistance as soon as momentum turns.
Statistically, they continue to be among the many league’s worst defensive groups. Perimeter containment is unreliable, transition protection breaks down too simply, and rotations often arrive late. These points are survivable in January. They’re deadly in Could.
Why Austin Reaves is instantly central to Lakers commerce talks
One other growth quietly reshaping the Lakers’ plans is the damage to Austin Reaves. Earlier than happening, Reaves was taking part in the most effective basketball of his profession and was on a authentic All-Star trajectory. Across the league, his worth has by no means been increased.
That creates a harsh actuality. The Lakers’ so-called Large Three of LeBron James, Reaves, and Luka Dončić has not persistently labored. Lineups that includes all three have struggled to defend, and the offense typically flows higher when solely two are on the ground whereas the third sits.
In concept, LeBron might cut back right into a 10-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist function to enhance stability. In follow, that sort of adjustment is just not typical for him, particularly for a staff constructed round his decision-making. With LeBron holding a no-trade clause, the entrance workplace’s flexibility is restricted.
That leaves Reaves as essentially the most life like high-value commerce chip. His contract, age, and effectivity make him engaging to a number of groups, significantly these looking for a secondary creator who doesn’t dominate possessions. Transferring him wouldn’t mirror dissatisfaction together with his efficiency, however reasonably an acknowledgment that roster stability and protection are greater priorities.
Lakers chemistry considerations are accelerating the timeline
The latest controversy surrounding head coach JJ Redick has solely intensified the urgency. Public criticism, locker-room frustration, and visual defensive indifference hardly ever coexist in steady contenders. When chemistry points floor alongside poor protection, entrance workplaces are likely to act sooner reasonably than later.
A commerce has not occurred but, however the course is turning into clearer. Sitting third within the West removes excuses for endurance. The Lakers usually are not making an attempt to repair a damaged staff. They’re making an attempt to sharpen a flawed contender earlier than the window narrows additional.
If a deal comes, it should doubtless middle on protection and match reasonably than star energy. And if Austin Reaves is the one moved, it is going to be as a result of the Lakers consider standing nonetheless poses a larger danger than making a troublesome alternative earlier than the deadline.
