The Los Angeles Lakers are poised to have one of the most explosive offenses in the NBA this season, likely landing in the top 5 with their firepower led by LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and an improved supporting cast. However, as exciting as their offensive potential is, Lakers Nation knows that balance is crucial. A dynamic offense needs to be complemented by a reliable defense to contend for a championship. While a potential trade could help fill some gaps, the Lakers will need to focus on tightening their defensive schemes and effort if they want to be serious contenders.

Top 5 Offense is Within Reach

The Lakers are primed for offensive success, thanks in large part to the following factors:

1. LeBron James’ Playmaking: Even at 39 years old, LeBron remains one of the league’s best playmakers. His ability to control the tempo, make precision passes, and dominate in transition ensures that the Lakers’ offense will flow smoothly. Surrounding him with more shooters and athletic finishers only increases the effectiveness of his court vision.
2. Anthony Davis’ Versatility: When healthy, Anthony Davis is one of the most dominant two-way players in the league. Offensively, he can score from inside and out, operate in the post, hit mid-range shots, and even knock down threes. His versatility will be crucial in making the Lakers’ offense dynamic and difficult to defend.
3. Improved 3-Point Shooting: The Lakers addressed their lack of perimeter shooting by adding key players like Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince, while also developing homegrown talents like Austin Reaves and Max Christie. With more reliable three-point threats, the Lakers will have better spacing and create more driving lanes for LeBron and AD.
4. Transition Offense: The Lakers will look to push the pace whenever possible. With athletes like Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, and Christian Wood, combined with LeBron’s unparalleled transition vision, they are set to be one of the more dangerous teams in fast-break situations.

With all these pieces in place, the Lakers’ offense should consistently produce high scoring outputs. However, an elite offense alone won’t guarantee success without balance on the defensive end.

Defense Needs to be a Priority

While the offense will take care of itself, the Lakers need to buckle down and improve defensively to avoid relying solely on outscoring their opponents. Here’s why defense is essential and what the Lakers need to focus on:

1. Defensive Versatility Around AD

Anthony Davis is the anchor of the Lakers’ defense. He is capable of guarding multiple positions, protecting the rim, and switching onto perimeter players. However, Davis alone can’t carry the defensive load. The Lakers need complementary defenders around him who can guard different positions and provide help when necessary.

Players like Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent will need to step up as versatile defenders, capable of switching onto guards and wings, while contesting shots at the rim. Their ability to execute a switch-heavy defense will be critical to the Lakers’ overall defensive success.

2. Guarding the Perimeter

In today’s NBA, defending the three-point line is crucial. The Lakers need to improve their ability to close out on shooters and prevent opponents from getting easy looks from beyond the arc. Last season, they struggled at times to contest perimeter shots, and that is an area where they must tighten up.

Having guards like Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and even D’Angelo Russell buy into defensive schemes and show consistent effort in staying in front of their assignments will be key. Strong perimeter defense will not only limit opponent’s scoring but will also allow the Lakers to turn stops into transition opportunities.

3. Transition Defense

While the Lakers will look to run in transition offensively, they also need to make sure they get back on defense. With the team crashing the boards more aggressively this season, they run the risk of being slow to defend fast breaks. Transition defense will be critical in preventing easy baskets and ensuring that the Lakers aren’t trading baskets with opponents.

Redick and the coaching staff will need to instill discipline in the team, ensuring that players understand when to prioritize rebounding and when to get back on defense quickly.

4. Defensive Communication

A solid defensive unit requires constant communication, especially in a system that involves frequent switching. The Lakers need to develop strong on-court chemistry to avoid defensive breakdowns, especially when facing elite offenses. With several new players on the roster, it will take time to develop the level of communication needed to effectively cover all defensive rotations.

LeBron and AD will need to lead by example in terms of defensive intensity and communication, ensuring that younger players like Reaves and Christie are always in the right spots and anticipating switches.

Could a Trade Bolster the Defense?

While the Lakers have a talented roster, there is still speculation that a midseason trade could help bolster their defensive front. The team could look to acquire another elite perimeter defender or a traditional center to shore up their rim protection and defensive rotations.

Names like Myles Turner, who has long been linked to the Lakers, or players with a strong defensive pedigree could be on the Lakers’ radar if the team struggles to maintain defensive consistency. However, relying on a trade is risky, and the Lakers will need to focus on maximizing their current roster until a deal is made—if one is made at all.

The Path Forward: Buckling Down on Defense

For the Lakers to reach their full potential, it’s essential that they don’t solely rely on their offensive firepower. Defense wins championships, and if the Lakers are serious about contending, they’ll need to commit to a team-wide defensive effort.

Key areas the Lakers must focus on include:

• Defensive rotations and switching, especially involving AD.
• Closing out on perimeter shooters and contesting threes.
• Transition defense to prevent easy buckets.
• Communication and discipline on defense to prevent breakdowns.

Conclusion

Lakers Nation has every reason to be excited about the team’s offensive potential this season, with a likely top 5 offense in the NBA. However, to be true contenders, they need balance. The focus needs to shift to the defensive side of the ball, ensuring that the Lakers can lock down opponents when needed. A trade could help in the long run, but until then, Redick and the coaching staff need to emphasize defensive fundamentals and effort. If the Lakers can commit to playing solid defense, they’ll have the balance necessary to make a deep playoff run.