4. The three-ball is as valuable as ever
The Los Angeles Lakers finished the 2023-24 regular season ranked 24th in three-point field goals made. It's a puzzling place for Los Angeles to be considering the fact that it ranked eighth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage.
As the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks have proven in 2023-24, volume is of equal value to efficiency in the modern NBA.
Boston, which won a league-high 64 games this season, finished No. 1 in the Association at 16.5 three-point field goals made per contest. Not far behind was Dallas, which finished No. 3 in that same statistic at 14.6 conversions per outing.
In addition to knocking shots down with volume, Boston ranked No. 1 in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage and Dallas checked in at No. 2.
The postseason has continued the trend, as the Celtics rank No. 1 in three-point field goals made per game and the Mavericks sit at No. 3. It's a clear indication of how important it is for the Lakers to add shooters to their roster and run an offense that better utilizes the outside shot.
Among the other Conference Finalists: The Indiana Pacers were 11th in three-point field goals made and the Minnesota Timberwolves were No. 15.
At the very least, the Lakers need to work to enter the top half of the NBA in three-point shooting.