Lakers Are Short One Two-Way Player
For the regular season, the Lakers can dominate lesser teams and pull out victories against upper-echelon squads when James and Davis are at the top of their games. However, Pelinka has to build a roster equipped to beat the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets who sit in the second, third and fourth spots in the Western Conference standings.
The Lakers are 3-3 against the three aforementioned top teams in the West, but if they run into the Clippers with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard during the postseason, Vogel will need to lean on players who can force those two All-Stars to work on both ends of the floor.
While the Lakers have played exceptional defense as a collective team, another solid defender in the second unit could help push this squad over the top. If not, the rotation needs another versatile guard who can distribute and create his own shot to stabilize the offense when James sits on the bench.
If the Lakers keep their current roster intact, they would need more consistency from Kuzma, Green and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on the wings. Avery Bradley hasn’t provided much impact on either end of the floor. Perhaps “Playoff Rondo” would solve the team’s issues at point guard.