How the Lakers Plan to Adjust Defensively

Luka Doncic may not have made his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers yet, but the team is entering a new phase nonetheless. While many believe the long-term impact of the trade for Doncic will be significant, dealing Anthony Davis certainly leaves the Lakers vulnerable defensively in the short term.

Both Davis and Max Christie, now with the Dallas Mavericks, played key roles on both ends of the court. The Lakers (28-19) must quickly find a way to replace their defensive presence, either through trades or internal solutions, if they aim to remain competitive against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the rest of the Western Conference this season.

First-year head coach JJ Redick understands that the Lakers will go through an adjustment phase following the NBA’s most surprising trade, but he is confident that the team can rely on collective effort to navigate the challenge.

“We have to be great with our rotations, we have to focus on team defense,” the former shooting guard and analyst explained to TNT’s Jared Greenberg during Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers (28-21). “AD was a big part of our defense, Max excelled on the ball, but we need all five players to defend in this league.”

The defensive concerns can be eased when the Lakers are firing on offense. At the time of writing, the Lakers are dominating the Clippers, hitting 13-of-28 from the three-point line and shooting nearly 55% overall. A high-powered offense can force opposing teams to play at a faster pace, leading to mistakes and turnovers.

LeBron James is continuing his leadership role, pushing toward another triple-double. Austin Reaves is making plays with his vision, Rui Hachimura is becoming more aggressive offensively, and Jaxson Hayes is doing the dirty work inside, contributing six rebounds and two blocks. However, Redick knows that defense will be a key area that needs consistent improvement.

Even when Luka Doncic joins the Lakers, they will likely need more than just scoring to overcome any challenges. The team currently ranks 18th in 3-point shooting percentage at 35.6%. A more well-rounded approach will be necessary.

JJ Redick will continue evaluating the team’s defensive strategies to adapt without Davis and Christie. However, the revamped Lakers are already stifling the Clippers on the road, holding a commanding 98-75 lead heading into the final quarter.