The Los Angeles Lakers are enduring their toughest stretch of the season, dropping four of their last five games, and the biggest hole in the roster is as glaring as ever.
Los Angeles posted the 29th defensive rating in the NBA for December, and the eye test matches numbers -- the Lakers need to bolster their defensive identity if they want to make competing this season a reality.
Bleacher Report's Dan Favale brought in the new year by listing three trade targets for each NBA roster, and Los Angeles' targets addressed its most desperate needs.
Favale listed New Orleans Pelicans wing Herb Jones (possibly the most linked player to the Lakers this trade season), Phoenix Suns wing Dillon Brooks and Portland Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams III.
Breaking it down
"Shakier defense coupled with Austin Reaves' calf strain could force the Los Angeles Lakers to recalibrate their trade-deadline approach," he wrote. "Is it really worth targeting players who, at minimum, will cost the one first-round pick they can deal (2031 or 2032)?
"Upgrading the defense remains the principal priority. The Lakers must be careful how they go about it. They have a roster teeming with one-way players. Any defense-first bodies they go after shouldn't be threats to undermine the scoring attack.
"Herb Jones or Dillon Brooks would outfit this team with the type of stopper who can propel it to a deeper playoff push. Both are also shaky spacers who will cost first-round goodies. Neither should torpedo the offense, but the Lakers aren't a high-volume or particularly efficient three-point-shooting squad. They have to consider that variable."