The Los Angeles Lakers are in a defensive free fall, and the numbers aren’t just bad-they’re bottom-of-the-barrel. After getting torched by the Phoenix Suns in a 24-point blowout, where the Suns shot a blistering 59% from the field and nearly 50% from deep, the issues are no longer subtle. They're flashing in neon.
Right now, the Lakers rank 24th in defensive rating. That’s not just underwhelming for a team with championship aspirations-it’s a red flag.
Even worse, they’re dead last in opponent 3-point percentage. So not only are teams scoring with ease, they’re doing it from the most dangerous spot on the floor.
Add in poor marks in categories like points off turnovers and defensive field goal percentage, and it paints a picture of a defense that’s consistently a step slow, a rotation late, and far too forgiving.
Head coach JJ Redick isn’t sugarcoating it. He’s been blunt about the team’s shortcomings, and in a recent postgame moment, he shared an anecdote that underscores just how steep the learning curve still is for some players on this roster.
During a game, Redick said one of his players-someone who hasn’t logged many minutes-didn’t know what a “flood” was. That’s a basic defensive concept, referring to overloading the strong side of the court.
For a player to be unclear on that mid-game? That’s not just a gap in execution-it’s a gap in preparation.
“We had a guy the other day who hasn’t played a lot, who didn’t know what a flood was in the middle of a game,” Redick said. “We clearly have some room to grow in that area.”
That quote speaks volumes. It’s not just about X’s and O’s-it’s about awareness, communication, and cohesion. And right now, the Lakers are lacking all three on the defensive end.
From guarding the ball at the point of attack to protecting the rim and finishing possessions by securing rebounds, the Lakers are falling short across the board. They don’t have a lockdown perimeter defender who can erase an opposing scorer or anchor a defensive identity.
That means this team has to defend by committee-five players locked in, rotating, helping, and recovering in sync. But that kind of unity has only shown up in spurts.
And that’s the real problem. The Lakers have had flashes of defensive intensity.
They’ve strung together quarters-sometimes even full games-where the effort is there, the rotations are crisp, and the results follow. But they haven’t been able to sustain it.
Inconsistency is the enemy of elite defense, and right now, that’s exactly where this team lives.
Redick’s frustration is understandable. When your team struggles to execute even the basics, it’s hard to build the kind of defensive foundation that wins games in April, May, and beyond. And unless the Lakers figure it out soon, they’ll be watching those games from home.
Lakers exploring trade options for defensive help
The good news? The front office isn’t sitting on its hands. There’s a clear recognition that if this team is going to compete down the stretch, it needs reinforcements-especially on the wing.
Reports indicate the Lakers are actively monitoring the trade market for defensive-minded wings who can help shore up the perimeter. Names like Herb Jones and Keon Ellis have surfaced as potential targets, depending on availability and price. Both players would bring a much-needed dose of defensive versatility and energy to a rotation that could use a jolt.
Of course, making a deal is easier said than done. The Lakers will need to match salaries and assets, and the market for quality wing defenders is always competitive. But the intention is clear: this team knows it can’t stand pat if it wants to be taken seriously come playoff time.
Right now, the Lakers are a team with offensive weapons and a defensive identity still very much under construction. Whether it’s through internal growth, schematic tweaks, or roster changes, something has to give. Because if they keep defending like this, the postseason won’t just be a challenge-it’ll be a pipe dream.