The Los Angeles Lakers preseason has not exactly inspired confidence on the defensive end, and insider Jovan Buha has sounded the alarm. Speaking on his podcast, Buha broke down what he’s seen so far from the new-look Lakers under head coach JJ Redick, and his take was clear, the defense is still far from ready.
“I think there have been stretches where it’s been good with the ball pressure. There have been stretches where it’s been good with the rim protection. But I think with Deandre Ayton, we’ve seen some of his limitations playing in space.”
“This is a particularly tough matchup for him, where he has to get out to stretch bigs like Draymond Green, Al Horford, and Quinton Post. I don’t think this is a great matchup for him on the defensive end.”
“There were some moments where he was cross-matched with Jimmy Butler or Moses Moody, and they were able to take him off the dribble or create separation.”
“I think Rui had good activity, he had a steal tonight, but his off-ball defense has been inconsistent. He’s been helping off shooters a little too much and getting lost at times.”
“I haven’t loved his on-ball reps either, especially in that Phoenix game against Devin Booker. With the way the Lakers are trying to defend, I think it’s tough to justify starting Rui if he’s going to be your point-of-attack or primary wing defender.”
“If he’s the one navigating screens on the ball, that’s not a smart defensive approach in my opinion.”
“Otherwise, defensively, I think Jaxson Hayes has looked solid. The verticality and rim protection are there, even if there’s not much else to note.”
Buha’s comments reflect what the box score already shows. The Lakers have surrendered 103 points and 111 points in their opening two preseason games, looking disorganized at times and sluggish in transition. While Redick has emphasized conditioning and communication in camp, the defense still appears to lack cohesion, a predictable issue for a roster that’s been heavily retooled.
Ayton, one of the Lakers’ marquee summer additions, has drawn particular scrutiny. While his size and rebounding are valuable, Buha noted that teams are exploiting him on switches.
It’s also worth noting that the Lakers have yet to see their best defensive pieces on the floor together. Marcus Smart, their expected defensive anchor, has not played yet as he continues to ramp up after another injury-plagued stretch, he’s played just 54 games in the last two seasons.
LeBron James, who turns 41 this season, is not expected to carry the nightly defensive load either, though Redick might use him more selectively on defense, similar to how Team USA utilized his versatility. Luka Doncic, meanwhile, has worked into better shape but remains a below-average defender.
The result is a roster with enormous offensive potential but legitimate defensive concerns. The Lakers don’t necessarily need to be a top-five defense with Luka, LeBron, and Austin Reaves; they can win shootouts, but they do need to hold their own.
Redick’s system and Smart’s leadership could eventually bring stability, but as Buha emphasized, the early warning signs are there. Until the Lakers can get healthy and connected defensively, their elite offense might be doing a lot of heavy lifting.
