The Los Angeles Lakers have spent weeks drawing scrutiny for his or her inconsistency, defensive lapses, and inner rigidity. On many nights, they appear to be a group headed towards a serious shakeup. But the standings inform a really completely different story.
Regardless of their struggles, the Lakers sit third within the Western Convention, a place that essentially alters their commerce calculus. Somewhat than signaling panic, their document suggests alternative. For a franchise constructed round championships, being this excessive within the standings makes a deadline transfer extra doubtless, not much less.
Successful sufficient to imagine, dropping badly sufficient to fret
The Lakers’ final ten video games seize the contradiction completely. They’ve picked up high quality wins towards the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings, displaying they will rating in bunches and shut video games when execution is sharp.
On the similar time, their losses have been alarming. Blowout defeats towards the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers spotlight a troubling sample. When the Lakers lose, they usually 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 incessantly arrive late. These points are survivable in January. They’re deadly in Might.
Why Austin Reaves is all of the sudden central to Lakers commerce talks
One other growth quietly reshaping the Lakers’ plans is the harm to Austin Reaves. Earlier than happening, Reaves was taking part in one of the best basketball of his profession and was on a legit All-Star trajectory. Across the league, his worth has by no means been larger.
That creates a harsh actuality. The Lakers’ so-called Large Three of LeBron James, Reaves, and Luka Dončić has not constantly labored. Lineups that includes all three have struggled to defend, and the offense usually flows higher when solely two are on the ground whereas the third sits.
In idea, LeBron may reduce right into a 10-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist position to enhance stability. In apply, that form of adjustment is just not typical for him, particularly for a group constructed round his decision-making. With LeBron holding a no-trade clause, the entrance workplace’s flexibility is proscribed.
That leaves Reaves as probably the most real looking high-value commerce chip. His contract, age, and effectivity make him enticing to a number of groups, notably these searching for a secondary creator who doesn’t dominate possessions. Shifting him wouldn’t replicate dissatisfaction along with his efficiency, however quite an acknowledgment that roster stability and protection are greater priorities.
Lakers chemistry issues 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 secure contenders. When chemistry points floor alongside poor protection, entrance workplaces are inclined to act sooner quite than later.
A commerce has not occurred but, however the path is changing into clearer. Sitting third within the West removes excuses for persistence. The Lakers aren’t making an attempt to repair a damaged group. They’re making an attempt to sharpen a flawed contender earlier than the window narrows additional.
If a deal comes, it’ll doubtless middle on protection and match quite than star energy. And if Austin Reaves is the one moved, it will likely be as a result of the Lakers imagine standing nonetheless poses a larger danger than making a troublesome selection earlier than the deadline.
