An NBA insider believes the Los Angeles Lakers will improve a key weakness ahead of February's trade deadline.
Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey thinks the Lakers will look to improve their defense through the trade market.
"The Los Angeles Lakers have been a borderline disaster on defense this season, and they edge closer to that line when all three of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James are on the floor," Bailey said.
The Lakers are 24th in the league in defensive rating (116.8), giving up an average of 116.3 points per night. Questions remain about the long-term defensive viability of Doncic, James and Reaves together.
"The most obvious way to address the problem might be a Reaves blockbuster that brings back an All-Defense-caliber wing or guard, but that feels too drastic and shortsighted," he said.
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LA has yet to hold an opponent to less than 100 points this season. Head coach JJ Redick has been frustrated with his team's defensive effort, specifically after a blowout loss to the Houston Rockets in December.
"An outside shot at a title now isn't worth compromising several shots down the line. Still, it feels like the Lakers need to do something to slow down opponents, even if it's a deal for a less heralded defensive stopper."
The Lakers (23-13) are fifth in the Western Conference and have lost six of their past ten games. LA returns to the court Monday against the Sacramento Kings. They will look to snap a two-game losing streak after winning three straight games earlier this month.
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