The Los Angeles Lakers leaned pretty heavily on switchable, center-less lineups down the stretch of last year's campaign after the Luka Doncic trade. Rob Pelinka still thinks that could be an effective strategy for JJ Redick, even after the playoff letdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves last year.
Trading for Luke Kennard meant adding some serious shooting help around the Lakers' three stars. The newest arrival in Los Angeles already showed off some impressive offensive firepower in his debut on Saturday. Pelinka thought adding his perimeter prowess to a lineup with Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James had a ton of upside.
Pelinka told reporters: "Just to create some optionality with different lineups, you can see an all-shooting lineup with Rui [Hachimura] and Luke, and maybe those three guys if you decide to go small in a playoff series."
That suggestion immediately caused Lakers fans to rise from their seats. Many were quick to call out what was obvious about the shortcomings of the suggestion: Where is the defense?
Pelinka’s ideal Kennard lineup ignores the defensive disaster it would create
41-year-old LeBron serving as the primary rim protector for a team in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. That is certainly an idea. Could it actually be better than Lakers fans are giving it credit for? Let's try to draw up the argument for what Pelinka is suggesting here.
Los Angeles did show some flashes last season of being better with an aggressive defensive scheme that prioritized switching, helping, and sometimes even leaning into a zone hybrid.
A big part of that was also Dorian Finney-Smith, who is with the Houston Rockets now. Kennard certainly does not bring the same type of two-way upside as the former Laker.
James has also taken a step back on the defensive end this season. The serious hope there would rest with LeBron flipping a switch in the postseason and reverting back to an active backline leader on that end. That would certainly be a gamble.
One thing that can be said in defense of Pelinka is Hachimura is more suited to the defensive tasks of the scheme that would come with this lineup than any drop coverage units. So, that's a win for the Lakers president.
His original idea here did prioritize offense. In that sense, there could be upside in trying to maximize the spacing for Doncic, James, and Reaves. The question being discussed would be whether the cost is worth it on the other end. That is a tough sell, to put it kindly.