The Los Angeles Lakers may be winning games, but their biggest weakness is becoming impossible to ignore. The Lakers have a massive defensive problem tied directly to LeBron James’ aging body and the limitations of the team’s star trio.
When LeBron, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves share the floor, the Lakers simply can’t guard anybody, and it is a glaring concern.
The trio bleeds points every time they play together
On NBA on ESPN, Tim Bontemps did not sugarcoat the dilemma. He laid it out bluntly: “91 minutes in five games, Luka, Austin, and LeBron together getting outscored by nine points per 100 possessions, defensive rating of 120.6. That would rank 28th in the league, ahead of only Brooklyn and Washington.”
Fans might counter with the fact that the Lakers went 4–1 in those games, but Bontemps shut that argument down too, noting, “This is not a small sample size. Last year, those three guys on the court had a defensive rating of 117.7… that would rank 27th, ahead of Brooklyn, Washington, and Utah.” Basically, what he is saying is this is not a blip. It is a trend, and a troubling one at that.
At nearly 41 years old, James is still brilliant in spurts and still capable of controlling games offensively, but defensively, expecting him to anchor possessions is no longer realistic. When the Lakers need verticality, mobility, or physicality, LeBron can’t consistently deliver. To be fair, this is not criticism; it is just how the human body operates.
When you pair that with Doncic and Reaves, two incredible playmakers who just are not known for their defense, you get a trio that can score with anybody but cannot guard well. That number of 120.6 points per 100 possessions is not a number that will help come playoff time.
Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers are 15–5 and sitting near the top of the standings, but every game feels like a reminder that offense is not the problem. Contending teams eventually have to get stops, and right now, the Lakers simply… do not.
The good news? It is still early enough in the season to fix this. The Lakers can make a move, and frankly, they probably have to. Role players who bring toughness, length, and defensive discipline are out there.
Haywood Highsmith is a name out there. He is currently stashed on a rebuilding Nets roster, and he could help come playoff time. Andrew Wiggins is another name that has been floated with the Miami Heat. Herb Jones would also be a dream addition, but that is if the Pelicans ever pick up the phone and pull the trigger.