The Lakers are 18-7 and sitting comfortably near the top of the Western Conference standings - but if you’ve been watching closely, you know the record doesn’t tell the whole story. They just eked out a win over the Suns, thanks in part to a late-game miscue by Dillon Brooks. And while a win’s a win, it also underscored a growing concern that could haunt this team come playoff time.
Let’s talk about the perimeter defense - or more accurately, the lack of a true two-way wing. Right now, the Lakers don’t have that one guy who can consistently lock down the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer and be a reliable offensive threat. That’s a problem in today’s NBA, especially when you’re trying to navigate a Western Conference that’s loaded with elite guard and wing talent.
The Lakers have length. They have experience.
They’ve got LeBron James still defying time, and Anthony Davis anchoring the paint. But when it comes to defending the perimeter while keeping the offense flowing, the roster’s a bit thin.
That’s where the trade market could come into play.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers are eyeing potential trade targets who align with the age range of Luka Dončić (26) and Austin Reaves (27). The idea? Build around their current core with players who can grow into the next phase of contention, rather than cashing in valuable assets for veterans on the back end of their primes.
That approach rules out some of the bigger names who might be available but are already in their 30s. And it likely puts someone like Herb Jones - the defensive-minded wing from the Pelicans - out of reach. He fits the mold perfectly, but Stein suggests the price tag would be too steep for L.A. to realistically pursue.
Still, the Lakers aren’t in panic mode. They’re 11 games over .500, and when healthy, they’ve shown they can hang with anybody. But if the goal is a deep playoff run - and let’s be honest, with LeBron on the roster, that’s always the goal - they’ll need to shore up that perimeter defense with someone who can stay on the floor in crunch time and contribute on both ends.
The Thunder are surging. The Nuggets are still the champs.
And teams like Minnesota and Sacramento aren’t going anywhere. If the Lakers want to make real noise in the postseason, finding that missing piece on the wing could be the difference between a second-round exit and a shot at banner No.