The Los Angeles Lakers don't look like a scary basketball team right now. Their defensive struggles exist within a greater theme: LA needs to get younger, hungrier, and more athletic if they want to compete with the likes of the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
If you're thinking the Lakers are going to hit the trade market to accomplish the above, think again. LA's roster as constructed is likely what it'll be for the rest of 2025-26, with the exception of a minimum contract or two added to the mix.
The trade deadline isn't coming to save the Lakers' contention hopes, but JJ Redick can. By making five adjustments to his minutes allotment, Redick can put a better product on the court. Here are those five changes, starting with three guys who deserve more minutes, and followed by two players who should be scaled back.
Dalton Knecht and two others Lakers bench players deserve more minutes
Dalton Knecht
The Lakers have botched Knecht's development, yet he continues to overcome the ugly circumstances. In the face of a failed trade to the Charlotte Hornets and inconsistent minutes, Knecht continues to play hard.
It's time the Lakers look in the mirror and fix their Knecht mistake by making him a fixture of the rotation.
This isn't just to benefit Knecht out of guilt; it's because the Lakers need Knecht's athleticism, toughness, and shooting to be the best version of themselves in 2025-26. The Lakers tend to get soft, but Knecht never is.
He's always down to take a charge or embrace physicality in other ways. Remember how awesome Knecht looked right out of the gate during his rookie season? It's called confidence, and the Lakers should flood him with more minutes to enable the return of that swagger.
Nick Smith Jr.
There will be growing pains with Smith, but the Lakers would be wise to get many of them out of the way before the stretch run of the season. The more you play Smith now, the more he'll be ready for the postseason.
His length and athleticism is a breath of fresh air on a team that often looks old and rigid on the defensive perimeter. Redick should probably sit Smith down and explain that he shouldn't worry about making shots as much as following Marcus Smart's lead as a defensive tone-setter.
Jake LaRavia
LaRavia is seventh on the Lakers in minutes per game this season (26.7), and that's way too low. LaRavia should be playing at least 30 minutes a night, and if it means cutting Rui Hachimura's playing time (once he gets back), so be it.
LaRavia is increasingly proving that he's a perfect fit alongside LA's trio of ball-dominant stars. He does all the little things, he's tough, he hits shots, and he's a deceptively good athlete.
Deandre Ayton and one Lakers star need to be scaled back in playing time
Deandre Ayton
Ayton complaining about touches was one reason to play him less, but the main problem is his inconsistent effort. The notion of "hunger" has already arisen twice in this article.
Ayton doesn't have much of it, and never has.
He seems like a really nice guy, but he's not a cold-blooded competitor out there, which makes him a terrible fit with Luka. The Lakers need Ayton to be solid; let's not act like they can just stop playing him. A little less Ayton and a little more Jaxson Hayes would inject this team with a lot more energy and fight.
Luka Doncic
Last but not least, the Don! Obviously, if Luka could realistically play 48 minutes a night, Redick would keep him out there. And with Reaves having been sidelined recently, Luka has been taking on more of a minutes burden.
But the Lakers need to tread carefully. We've seen how Luka's body wears down throughout the regular season, leaving him broken by the time the playoffs arrive. To avoid this disaster, Redick should make a point to get Luka's minutes per game number (36.5) down to 35 or 34.