Defense wins championships, right? As currently constructed, the Los Angeles Lakers better hope that is not the entire truth.
The Lakers will head into the new 2025-26 NBA season with a defense that projects to be rather underwhelming. Jovan Buha was not shy about sharing how challenging the present situation may look. The Lakers reporter delivered thoughts regarding the unit on a recent episode of Buha's Block.
Buha said, "Is the Lakers having a top defense sustainable? I will say no. ... For nearly 60 games of the season, the Lakers were a bottom 10 defense. Then, for 24 games, they were the best defense. They're closer to being a bottom 10 defense than the best defense."
The Lakers reporter believed the ceiling of this current group would fall somewhere between the 11th to 14th best unit on that end. Buha thought they would need another move to truly break into the top 10 best defenses in the NBA next season.
Lakers need a big upgrade before championship contention
The assessment here is more than fair. It also gives major credence to the recent rumors that have been circling around the Lakers.
Marc Stein was the first insider to come out and suggest Rob Pelinka and the front office are loosening their stance on being cautious and allowing themselves more aggression with a win-now approach. Dan Woike backed him up entirely.
Both of those men suggested the goal for the Lakers was clear: add a two-way wing. The emphasis on the rumored target being one who can raise the ceiling of the team is important. In particular, that boost should come on the defensive end.
There should be little doubt that a team with Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves is going to be a great unit on offense. Anyone saying otherwise does not deserve to be taken seriously.
However, balance is key. The defensive aspect of the floor has continued to be integral to championship teams over this past decade.
In the last 10 NBA seasons, eight of the 10 champions that hoisted the Larry O'Brien at season's end had a top 10 defensive rating during the regular season. The lone exceptions were the 2023 Denver Nuggets and the 2018 Golden State Warriors.
In the case of the Warriors, they turned it on during the 2018 NBA Playoffs, catapulting themselves towards the top unit in the postseason. Likewise, the Nuggets had the fourth best defensive rating in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
The Lakers need stoppers. Otherwise, they will be under threat of being unceremoniously carved up when it matters most.