The Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes for a return to the NBA Finals abruptly stopped last season when the Denver Nuggets eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs. Following that disappointment, the franchise made a bold move, parting ways with head coach Darvin Ham in the aftermath. Despite a promising start, the Lakers’ struggles have continued into the current season.
Many saw Ham’s departure as a necessary change, but now, some are reconsidering whether the coaching staff was truly the root of the Lakers’ woes. One Western Conference scout, speaking with ESPN, suggested that the problems may not have been with Ham after all.
“It’s been interesting to me; Darvin [Ham] took a lot of s— last year. I think now you’re seeing, like, ‘Oh, maybe it wasn’t Darvin. Maybe it’s the f—ing roster,'” the scout said.
The roster itself has come under scrutiny. According to an Eastern Conference scout, the Lakers are missing a crucial piece that could help them compete in a highly competitive Western Conference.
“They need to trade for a good point-of-attack defender that can at least be capable of knocking down open shots. They don’t have many perimeter defenders,” an Eastern Conference scout said.
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After firing Ham, the Lakers hired JJ Redick without any prior coaching experience. Early results have shown that Redick’s inexperience has not provided the immediate turnaround the Lakers were hoping for. In fact, according to scouts, the Lakers’ most glaring need is the addition of a versatile wing defender.
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“Honestly, they need what everybody wants. It’s that versatile wing defender that can guard 2 through 4 and then can make an open 3. Your Mikal Bridges, your OG Anunoby, those type of players. And those guys, either: One, they aren’t available; or two, if they are available, they’re not cheap; they’re at a premium. Everybody in the NBA wants guys like that,” one of the West scouts said.
The Lakers recently ended their three-game losing streak with a win against the Portland Trail Blazers. Nevertheless, they again struggled against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. After their Friday loss, the Lakers are now 13-12 on the season.
