The Los Angeles Lakers are treading water right now, hovering around .500. This is the same team that was 14-9 and winning the NBA In-Season Tournament and looking like a potential Finals contender.
So what’s going on? Why can this team not compete like it was earlier in the season?
What do they need to do to become that team again?
Anthony Davis keeps playing at this recent MVP level
Anthony Davis might be playing as well as he’s ever played, especially in a recent 10-12-game stretch.
He’s putting up good scoring numbers, he’s dominating on the defensive boards, he’s blocking shots and on offense, he’s really doing a good job of moving the ball.
If Davis can keep this up, the Lakers will have a chance. There’s still a long way to go in the season, but this kind of play is a must for this team to move up the standings.
| Game | Min | Pts | FG | 3pt | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk |
| Dec 31 at Pelicans | 35 | 20 | 7-15 | 0-2 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Dec 30 at Timberwolves | 39 | 33 | 12-17 | 1-2 | 17 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Dec 28 vs. Hornets | 26 | 26 | 11-19 | 0-1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Dec 25 vs. Celtics | 39 | 40 | 15-26 | 2-4 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Dec 23 at Thunder | 42 | 26 | 11-21 | 1-1 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| Dec 21 at Timberwolves | 39 | 31 | 11-20 | 1-1 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Dec 20 at Bulls | 38 | 19 | 7-15 | 0-2 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Dec 18 vs. Knicks | 35 | 32 | 14-22 | 1-1 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Dec 13 at Spurs | 38 | 37 | 13-23 | 2-3 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 36.8 | 29.3 | 56.7 | 37.5 | 11.7 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.6 |
The Los Angeles Lakers offense has to get better for this team to compete
The NBA has become a fast-paced, high-scoring league again and the Lakers rank near the bottom of all offensive categories. Especially after winning the NBA In-Season Tournament.
They’re 23rd in offensive rating, no team that ranks below them has a winning record. They’re 28th in offensive rebounding. The Lakers can’t score from 3-point range. They rank 28th in attempts, 28th in makes and 20th in percentage.
Not being able to score from long range means they have to be very good at getting fouled and scoring from the line. But they’re ninth in free throw rate, 13th in free throws made and 20th in free throw percentage.
They’re also 17th in turnover percentage, which really puts pressure on the Lakers’ defense to have an offense that doesn’t score and also has a not-so-great turnover rate.
Will they make a move to add offense? They need to do something because this team is not a contender as long as the offensive numbers are this bad.
Related: Could Zach LaVine be bound for the Los Angeles Lakers?
Austin Reaves needs to get back into the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup
Austin Reaves seemed to come out of nowhere in last season’s playoffs.
He gave the Lakers some outside scoring that they weren’t getting. He gave them energy and became a fan favorite.
He worked his way into being a third option for the Lakers, who had been depending too much on LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He started off this season with some big moments, especially during the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Then, nine games into this season, Reaves was moved to the bench.
When he made the move, Lakers coach Dervin Ham said he did so to make Reaves one of the leaders of of the second unit. He used how the San Antonio Spurs teams of the late 00s and early teens used Manu Ginobli as an example.
D’Angelo Russell replaced Reaves in the lineup. Now Russell is out as a starter. But Reaves didn’t replace him, Jarred Vanderbilt did. And, Vanderbilt is a defensive liability which hurts what was a great Lakers defense.
Since he was moved to the bench Reaves has been averaging 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists, shooting right at 50% from the floor.
He had good chemistry with James and Davis in the playoffs last season. With the way the Lakers are struggling offensively, Reaves needs to be back in.
Related: Los Angeles Lakers standing in Sportsnaut’s NBA power rankings
Los Angeles Lakers need to trade for Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan
They could target Zach LaVine, who has a little more than three years and more than $140 million left on the contract he signed two seasons ago.
LaVine isn’t happy in Chicago and wants out. The Bulls have shopped him around but, according to rumors, have asked too much in return. He has been injured for most of this season, but he has had seasons averaging 25 and 27 points. He would be a good fit with James and Davis for providing offensive punch.
Or, the Lakers could be interested in DeMar DeRozan. The veteran guard won’t help with the 3-point shooting, but he’s aggressive and will drive to the basket to put pressure on opposing defenses.
DeRozan is averaging 22.4 points and 54 assists per game. He would be a good fit to help the struggling offense.