JJ Redick's words following the Los Angeles Lakers' most recent 132-119 loss to the San Antonio Spurs were a sobering glimpse into the reality of the shortcomings this group has. Every defeat the Lakers have suffered has been eerily similar in exposing the issues that come with it.
"We've consistently got exposed in the same things," Redick said after Los Angeles was eliminated from the NBA Cup.
There was a lot of truth to the message from the Lakers head coach. The weak defense always shows up in the worst ways for this team. Often so, it is truly the struggles on the perimeter that hold Los Angeles back from guarding in the ways they may otherwise want to.
With Dec. 15 just days away, the threshold of NBA trade season is about to be crossed. For the Lakers, that should involve bolstering their athleticism and defense. Establishing themselves as a real threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder will not happen without that much-needed boost.
Lakers must not run from their lack of athleticism and defensive deficiencies
Covering your eyes and pretending the problem does not exist will do the Lakers no good in this situation. For a team that has an impressive 17-7 record thus far in 2025-26, it can often feel as though the losses are a better representation of how this campaign will crumble in the postseason.
Brian Windhorst painted the picture during a recent appearance on ESPN. The NBA analyst opened up on the chilling reality of the situation.
Windhorst said, "Their record is the best possible scenario because their defense is not the defense of a team that is top three in the West. ... The Spurs ... really showed the Lakers' defensive weaknesses."
Bobby Marks, who was joining this episode of The Hoop Collective, immediately jumped to the lack of athleticism following Windhorst's statement. Marks thought when the Spurs went into attack mode, the Lakers lost all semblance of comfort in guarding that much spryness and movement.
The lack of athleticism on the roster is not a groundbreaking thought. When the Lakers selected Adou Thiero in the 2025 NBA Draft, it was a selection reflective of that need.
The rookie wing has not immediately established himself as a member of the rotation during his first season in the NBA just yet. If the Lakers do not want to simply kick the can down the road and call this campaign a wash in the long run, there will need to be moves to address the issue before February.