Anthony Davis injury reveals reality Lakers can no longer avoid accepting

It's time to accept reality.
ByMaxwell Ogden|
Jan 27, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during pregame warm ups against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jan 27, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during pregame warm ups against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have come face to face with the truth they've been attempting to avoid since the start of the 2023-24 season. It's either the harsh reality or the silver lining of Anthony Davis being sidelined with an abdominal strain.

With Davis out of the lineup, the Lakers must finally come to terms with the fact that they've built a roster that has done absolutely nothing to help their franchise player down low.

Davis has put together a season that has him well on his way to a sixth career All-NBA selection. Unfortunately, the Lakers continue to struggle to defend the interior and keep opposing teams off the offensive glass.

Davis is the last person to blame, however, as his individual contributions have been certifiably elite—a truth that Los Angeles has allowed to mask their roster flaws.

With Davis out of the lineup, however, the Lakers must come to terms with the source of their shortcomings. They'll not only struggle to replace his versatile contributions on defense, but ask players on minimum contracts and two-way deals to take his place.

If there's ever been a reason to finally pull the trigger on a trade for a center who can supplement Davis' talent, it's what's about to be revealed about the roster.

Without Anthony Davis, Lakers' lack of interior depth is unavoidable

Davis has been in dominant form, posting season averages of 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.8 offensive boards, 3.4 assists, 2.1 blocks, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 three-point field goals made per game. He ranks in the top 10 among qualified players in points, rebounds, and blocks per game.

Among centers, Davis ranks second in scoring, third in blocks, fourth in steals, and sixth in rebounding—facts that only scratch the surface of his success.

Davis is also 11th in the NBA in defensive rebounding percentage. Furthermore, opponents are shooting 9.9 percent worse within six feet of the rim when he's the primary defender and 7.9 percent worse within 10 feet.

In the midst of an elite season on both ends of the floor, Davis should be anchoring one of the best defensive teams in the NBA—yet the Lakers have been anything but.

Despite Davis' dominance down low, Los Angeles is No. 21 in opponent second-chance points and No. 27 in points allowed in the paint. Those numbers are a direct result of the absence of proven talent to support him along the interior.

As the trade deadline nears, Davis' injury and subsequent absence have made it impossible to avoid how desperately they need to support their superstar.

It also must be noted that Davis has been asking for help at center since 2023. He made private requests for the Lakers to make a trade to improve in that regard in 2023 and 2024, and recently went the public route during an interview with Shams Charania of ESPN.

One can only hope that the Lakers will avoid punting what's thus far been a rewarding season by failing to give the franchise player what he needs.

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