The clock is ticking for Lakers to address flaw that's sabotaging their success

JJ Redick has approached his first season as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers by following the numbers. As a result, the Lakers are playing winning basketball and the starting lineup is performing at the elite level that history suggested it was capable of reaching.

Unfortunately, for as great as the Lakers' starting lineup has been, the second unit has been equally as underwhelming—thus sabotaging the goal of sustained success.

Anthony Davis has been playing at an MVP level early in 2024-25, leading the NBA in scoring through seven games and providing his unique brand of two-way versatility. That's been the driving force behind the Lakers' starting five ranking in the 77th percentile in net rating.

The absence of ideal depth, however, has forced Los Angeles to overplay its starters with its reserves to mask the second unit's shortcomings.

Many have pointed to the two major absences from the rotation that have thus far decimated the quality of the bench: Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood. Vanderbilt is the best defender on the team after Davis, while Wood is arguably the best scorer among the reserves.

With an undefined return date for Vanderbilt and Wood, however, the Lakers have been left with a void that won't stop hindering their success.

Lakers can't wait for Vanderbilt and Wood to save the second unit

The Lakers' second unit currently ranks No. 29 in offensive rating and No. 30 in points per game. It's also No. 23 in net rating, which is an especially concerning fact when one considers that it's currently in the top 10 in defensive rating.

Despite the Lakers' bench's defensive success, they're struggling to generate any semblance of consistent offense—and they can't simply wait for Wood to get back for that to change.

Los Angeles' most recent game, a 115-103 loss to the 3-5 Detroit Pistons, was the most disappointing display thus far. Davis posted 37 points and LeBron James tallied 20 points and 11 assists, but the other three starters combined for 36 points on 13-of-37 shooting.

It's easy to point the finger at Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and D'Angelo Russell in that scenario, but the bigger issue was that no one from the second unit stepped up to fill the gap.

Los Angeles' bench combined for 10 points against the Pistons, with Gabe Vincent not even getting a shot up in 18 minutes. Dalton Knecht made both of his field goal attempts, including a three-pointer, but played just nine minutes.

It was perhaps the most damning evidence of the issue the Lakers are facing: Even when the reserves are on the court, the plays are being run all but exclusively for the starters.

Redick must find a way to incorporate the reserves into his rotation in a way that features them more prominently on offense. Even if the shots aren't falling, giving them a consistent role and regular opportunities to score may be the only way to reverse the results.

The longer the Lakers fail to produce consistent offense via the second unit, the heavier the burden will be for the starters as they navigate a season with zero margin for error.