If there was ever a highlight reel to prove the Los Angeles Lakers need a perimeter defender who can also knock down threes, Tuesday night was it.
Trey Murphy exploded for a career-high 42 points, leaving the Lakers scrambling to keep up while the Pelicans lit up the floor. Sure, the Lakers pulled out a 111-103 win, but Murphy’s performance made one point clear. The point is that without someone who can defend and stretch the floor, this team is far from complete.
Lack of perimeter defense is costing Los Angeles
Murphy was everywhere, spotting up for wide-open threes, attacking the rim, and drawing nine free throws in the process. He hit five triples and had multiple uncontested looks, and there was not a Lakers wing who could slow him down.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles struggled to find consistency from deep, shooting just 11-of-31 from three, a reminder that even with LeBron and Luka orchestrating the offense, spacing and shooting remain significant concerns.
This is exactly why the Lakers’ rumored search for a 3-and-D wing is so urgent. Someone like Herb Jones would give them defensive versatility. Dillon Brooks brings scoring punch but comes with potential chemistry issues. Even Ochai Agbaji could help, but he likely will not move the needle enough.
Murphy’s explosion against the Lakers shows that this is not just a minor weakness, it is a glaring hole that could cost them in a tighter playoff series.
The game itself felt like a preview of what happens when the Lakers face an opponent with a hot shooter and a green light to attack. Even though the stars made plays late, they were forced to scramble on defense and settle for tough shots.
Murphy did more than just put up points with ease. He exposed holes in rotations, defensive schemes, and spacing that the Lakers need to fix if they want to be serious title contenders. This is not about panicking over one game. It isabout recognizing patterns.
It is clear that the Lakers have elite talent, but without someone who can consistently guard, stretch the floor, and hit threes under pressure, they leave too much on their stars’ shoulders.
At this point, landing a proven 3-and-D wing is not optional. After watching Murphy tear through them, it is obvious that they need it, and they need it now.