LOS ANGELES — Head coach JJ Redick has asked Luka Doncic and LeBron James to raise their defensive intensity after the Los Angeles Lakers’ recent struggles guarding the perimeter, Doncic said this week.
The conversation took place as the team reached the quarter mark of the 2025-26 season. Los Angeles owns an 18-7 record, tied for third in the Western Conference with the San Antonio Spurs, but opponents have begun to exploit the Lakers’ lack of foot speed on the outside.
“He was right,” Doncic said of Redick’s message. “You’ve got to give a little bit more, especially from the star players. That’s on us, that’s on me. We just have to start games better.”
Doncic leads the NBA in scoring and has pushed Los Angeles to a top-tier offensive rating, yet the club has allowed high-tempo opponents to dictate pace in recent outings. Slow starts, a recurring issue in recent seasons, have contributed to the problem.
With Austin Reaves still sidelined, the Lakers are leaning heavily on their two All-Stars. Even when the full “Big 3” is available, Redick expects Doncic to set the tone nightly.
Trade impact felt around the league
League executives also view the Lakers’ future draft capital as less valuable following the blockbuster deal that brought Doncic to Los Angeles, according to multiple team sources. The shift underscores the franchise’s reliance on its veteran core to sustain championship aspirations.
Los Angeles returns to action later this week, looking to tighten its defense while maintaining the offensive pace that has carried the club through the season’s first 25 games.
Source: LakersNation.com
