Do you recall when the Los Angeles Lakers had one of the NBA’s top five offenses, say, two weeks ago? At this point, it seems like a lifetime ago, and tonight may have been the indication that those times are permanently over.
In a game they never seemed to have a chance in, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Miami Heat 134-93, losing by a season-high 41 points. The only bright spot in a horrible night where the Heat made 24 3-pointers and the Lakers made five was LeBron James’ 29-point performance, which was his finest offensive performance in about two weeks. It’s not a prescription for success to be outscored by 57 points from beyond the arc. It doesn’t help that Anthony Davis scored eight points either.
Tonight’s effort didn’t impress head coach JJ Redick, who said, “I’m embarrassed.” “There has to be some ownership,” he added in his postgame remarks, alluding to both himself and the players, adding, “We’re all embarrassed.”
The fact that he didn’t totally blame his teammates is… nice? However, I don’t blame him for expecting more from his guys. Despite his shortcomings as a coach, Redick is unable to go out there and make shots. In fact, it is likely that he would have contributed to LA’s 3-point shooting tonight. He can only do so much, though, and that’s the idea.
However, there are significant restrictions on this roster. Redick is obviously furious, but he is learning the hard way that this squad most likely lacks the horses necessary to contend competitively in the West.
Lately, the Lakers’ offense has vanished.
The Lakers’ offense, initially appearing to be the most potent of the LeBron James and Anthony Davis era, has quickly faltered. Following an 80-point outing on Monday and a 93-point performance against OKC on Friday, the team managed just 93 points tonight. Over the past four games, Los Angeles has surpassed the 100-point mark only once, a narrow 105-104 win against the Jazz.
Despite a few recent disappointments, Anthony Davis is still enjoying a fantastic season, the Lakers are still 12-10, and head coach JJ Redick appears capable. But, to use JJ’s own words, the Lakers’ current offensive is… embarrassing. The Lakers won’t accomplish anything with this team.
Proposed Mock Trade Would Bring Three Players to the Lakers in a Deal Too Good for Rob Pelinka to Pass Up
This three-team trade puts the Los Angeles Lakers in a prime position to restructure their roster and become a contender.
Prior to Thursday night’s 41-point thumping of the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Lakers had suffered their worst losses of the season in back-to-back games, first against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who backed JJ Redick after the game and pointed the finger at the players, are aware that the coaching cannot be held accountable. But the root of their problems is a more significant structural issue.
Since trading for Russell Westbrook in February 2023, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka hasn’t made many changes. The Lakers are using a roster that is nearly identical to that of the previous year, replacing Taurean Prince with Dalton Knecht. The players bear the responsibility, but we need the person who assembled this group of skill to take a risk and upset the Lakers.
He may significantly enhance their roster by negotiating a big deal with two teams at the bottom of the conference.
With the two returning players maybe being helpful for a return to competitive fire, this deal allows the Pelicans a way to cut Ingram before his upcoming free agency and probable exit from the team. For two important players who would completely change the Lakers’ roster, the Jazz receive a large selection package and several players.
Three Heavy Hitters for the Lakers
Although the Lakers are overly optimistic about this trade, it would be a fantastic deal if they could find a version of it where they could avoid handing up more than one first-round selection. Rob Pelinka can’t deny the Lakers’ tremendous value in this transaction, which replaces five players with three better ones, no matter how passive he wants to be.
This season, Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists for the injured Pelicans. Unless he is traded to another team, his future becomes uncertain.
For the Jazz, Collin Sexton averages 16.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, while his colleague Walker Kessler averages 10.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks. Kessler fills JJ Redick’s immediate need for another big man on the roster, while Sexton brings in another guard-scoring threat with a better defensive performance than D’Angelo.
While Davis reverts to his more comfortable role as a power forward, the Lakers can start Kessler at center. at Austin Reaves starts with LeBron James, who is playing point guard full-time, and Sexton comes off the bench, Ingram would fill in at the three.
With the extra roster places, the Lakers can make more small deals or acquire players from the buyout market to fill in the small gaps on their roster, such as backup guard play and the overabundance of big-man depth with Christian Wood, Jaxson Hayes, and Kessler.
