The Los Angeles Lakers have always been synonymous with championship aspirations, led by the legendary LeBron James and the dominant Anthony Davis. Yet, as the 2024 NBA season progresses, cracks in the team’s foundation are becoming increasingly apparent. With a 13-11 record, inconsistent performances, and defensive lapses, the Lakers find themselves in a precarious position in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
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Despite LeBron’s brilliance and the undeniable talent of Davis, the Lakers’ issues have compounded, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether this team can turn its season around. Here are the three biggest reasons for the Lakers’ struggles this season—and what can be done to address them.
1. Defensive Woes Are Sinking the Lakers
The Lakers’ defense has been nothing short of abysmal this season. After a humiliating 41-point loss to the Miami Heat—where the Lakers allowed Miami to shoot an eye-popping 57.8% from the field and a staggering 51.1% from beyond the arc—questions about their defensive effort and organization reached a fever pitch.
Statistically, the Lakers rank 26th in defensive rating, allowing 117 points per 100 possessions. In transition defense, they are even worse, ranking 29th and giving up 1.44 points per possession. According to NBA Advanced Stats, they fail to hustle back on defense in transition plays, having a man-advantage on only 44% of such possessions.
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A Western Conference scout summarized the problem bluntly: “They’re not physical, they don’t communicate, and everything comes too easily for opponents.”
In the half-court, opponents are feasting on the Lakers. LA ranks near the bottom of the league in contested shots around the rim, allowing a 63% shooting rate within five feet. Their pick-and-roll defense has been equally disastrous, with players routinely failing to communicate switches or close out on shooters.
JJ Redick, the Lakers’ head coach, admitted, “If you don’t talk and compete, no defensive scheme will work. It’s that simple.”
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While the expected return of Jarred Vanderbilt—an elite defender—could help, the lack of versatile perimeter defenders capable of guarding multiple positions remains a glaring issue. As one scout noted, “The Lakers need a versatile wing like OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges, but those players are either unavailable or far too expensive.”
2. Inconsistent Performances from the Supporting Cast
LeBron and Davis remain the pillars of this Lakers team, but even their combined excellence can’t mask the inconsistency from the supporting cast. Austin Reaves, widely considered the Lakers’ third-best player, recently missed five games due to injury, and the team felt his absence deeply. Before his injury, Reaves was averaging a career-high 16.7 points per game.
Outside of Reaves, the contributions from other role players have been underwhelming. Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, and Jaxson Hayes have all failed to provide meaningful impact, leaving the Lakers bench among the least productive in the league.
A member of the Lakers front office explained, “We’ve got players capable of stepping up on any given night, but it’s been too rare. LeBron and AD are forced to carry too much of the burden every night.”
Statistically, the trio of Davis, LeBron, and Reaves has a net rating of -8.4 in their 383 minutes together this season, ranking among the worst-performing trios in the league. This lack of cohesion among the Lakers’ stars and their supporting cast raises significant concerns about their ability to compete against top-tier teams.
3. LeBron’s Declining Efficiency
LeBron James is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in NBA history, but even legends aren’t immune to the effects of time. Now in his 22nd season and approaching his 40th birthday, LeBron is showing signs of wear and tear.
While his counting stats remain impressive—23 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game—his efficiency has taken a noticeable dip. He’s shooting just 49.5% from the field, including a career-low 65% on shots around the rim. Additionally, his perimeter shooting has been inconsistent, and he recently endured a stretch where he shot just 11.8% from three-point range over seven games.
Perhaps most concerning is LeBron’s turnover rate. In his last 13 games, he committed 66 turnovers—the highest in his Lakers tenure over a similar stretch.
“He looks human for the first time in his career,” said one of LeBron’s former assistant coaches. “He’s stretched his prime longer than anyone, but eventually, even he can’t defy Father Time forever.”
LeBron’s struggles are compounded by the Lakers’ reliance on him to deliver every night. Despite his age, LeBron remains the team’s second-best player and primary playmaker, leaving little room for him to rest or recover.
Solutions for the Lakers’ Struggles
If the Lakers are to salvage their season, drastic changes are needed. Here’s what they must address:
- Defensive Reinforcements: The Lakers need to target versatile, multi-positional defenders at the trade deadline. While acquiring a player like Mikal Bridges may be unrealistic, mid-tier options such as Royce O’Neale or Torrey Craig could provide much-needed depth.
- Consistent Bench Production: The Lakers need their role players to step up. Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood, in particular, were brought in to ease the load on the stars, but neither has delivered consistently. More defined roles and better offensive schemes could unlock their potential.
- Load Management for LeBron: While it’s tempting to ride LeBron’s brilliance, the Lakers must prioritize his health. Reducing his minutes and allowing him to rest on back-to-backs could preserve his effectiveness for the postseason.
Can the Lakers Turn It Around?
The Lakers are no strangers to adversity. Last season, they overcame a slow start to make the playoffs and even reached the Western Conference Finals. However, this year feels different. The defensive issues are more glaring, the supporting cast is less reliable, and LeBron’s age is finally catching up to him.
For the Lakers to regain their footing, they must act swiftly and decisively. Whether through trades, tactical adjustments, or simply greater effort on defense, time is of the essence. The Western Conference waits for no one, and if the Lakers can’t right the ship soon, their championship window may slam shut sooner than expected.
