The Los Angeles Lakers have been pretty poor on offense this season, with an offensive rating of 110.7, which ranks 24th in the NBA. The Lakers might actually have a lineup combination, though, that would help fix those offensive woes, but the downside is that it would make them terrible on defense.
When the Lakers have had LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Cam Reddish, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell on the court, they have an offensive rating of 124.2. For context, that is a better rating than that of every other team in the league.
Offensive Rating Leaders In 2023-24 (Team):
1. Indiana Pacers – 123.6
2. Philadelphia 76ers – 119.8
3. Atlanta Hawks – 118.6
The sample size isn’t a very small one either for this stage of the season. This lineup has played the fourth-most minutes (45) for the Lakers in 2023-24 and has easily been the best one on offense among all their combinations that have played at least 20 minutes on the court.
The problem with this lineup, however, is that they have a defensive rating of 122.4, which ranks dead last when compared to every other team in the league.
Worst Defensive Rating in 2023-24 (Team):
1. Charlotte Hornets – 121.4
2. Washington Wizards – 120.3
3. Indiana Pacers – 120.2
It is really a bit baffling how that lineup is so bad on the defensive end. The only difference between this and the Lakers’ starting lineup during the playoffs, was Jarred Vanderbilt being in there instead of Reddish.
The Lakers were one of the better defensive teams in the playoffs thanks to that lineup and for them to plummet on that end of the floor when you take out Vanderbilt is quite surprising. He is one of their best defenders, but you wouldn’t expect such a huge drop-off in his absence.
Vanderbilt did make his first appearance of the season on Saturday night against the Houston Rockets and his return is a big boost for the Lakers. The issue, though, is Vanderbilt’s limitations on offense are only going to hurt the team even more on that end of the floor.
Making a splash move might end up eventually being the way forward for the Lakers if they are to solve their offensive woes. We ranked the seven best trade scenarios for the Lakers and a lot of them involve bringing in a star that can provide this team with the firepower that it desperately needs.
LeBron James Pointed To Injuries Being The Reason For The Lakers’ Slow Start
There is no denying that it has been a disappointing start to this campaign for the Lakers. While they are unbeaten in In-Season Tournament games, they only sport a 12-9 record on the season as a whole.
LeBron blamed injuries for the Lakers’ early season struggles, with Vanderbilt, Reddish, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent having missed a fair bit of time already. James also stated that he had no idea who the Lakers were amid their mediocre start.
The 38-year-old says they just have not had enough minutes with their entire group in order to build a rhythm. Fortunately for LeBron and the Lakers, that injury list is getting smaller as time goes on, and the only notable absentee in the near future would be Gabe Vincent.
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