The Los Angeles Lakers have weathered the storm and overcome injuries to Luka Doncic and LeBron James to split their first four games. That's certainly something to celebrate, as most teams would be lost at sea without their two most prolific players.
If there's one flaw that the Lakers should be alarmed by, however, it's the simple fact that they aren't moving the ball—no matter who's available or who isn't.
Through four games, Los Angeles ranks dead last in passes made. It's a clear reflection of how poorly the Lakers have embraced the need to move the ball, as they're instead resorting to ISO-heavy tactics that cast a shadow over the quality they could potentially receive from key players.
That's further reflected in the fact that Los Angeles is No. 27 in potential assists, which reveals how even the passes that are being made are rarely leading to scoring opportunities.
The Lakers are No. 4 in points per isolation possession, which offers an obvious reason to continue attacking in that manner. With or without a healthy Doncic, however, the Lakers can't expect to sustain success by neglecting the quality of the players around the shot creators.
Thankfully, there's an easy way to resolve this issue—and data to support the belief that the Lakers will right the ship in 2025-26.
Lakers rank dead last in passes made in 2025-26
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Los Angeles finished the 2024-25 regular season ranked No. 9 in the NBA in passes made. That alone offers ample reason for optimism that head coach JJ Redick can convince his players to move the ball more freely in 2025-26.
Getting Doncic and James back in the lineup will certainly help expedite that process, as they rank among the best playmakers in the NBA.
Even once they've returned, however, a problem will persist if not directly addressed. Los Angeles can't simply be a team that lets Doncic, James, and [Austin Reaves alternate isolation possessions](https://lakeshowlife.com/austin-reaves-lakers-stuck-dream-nightmare) if it hopes to bring the best out of everyone around them.
Instead, the off-ball action that became a trademark of Redick's offense in 2024-25 must become a primary function of the system again in 2025-26.
Lakers also rank dead last in distance traveled on offense
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Through four games, Los Angeles ranks dead last in distance traveled on the offensive end of the floor. That's a clear sign of how the ball is not only sticking in one place, but how the off-ball players have been all but frozen when they should be on the move.
That's a recipe for disaster that calls for two simple resolutions: Playmakers being [more willing to pass](https://lakeshowlife.com/jake-laravia-finally-message-lakers-contend) for reasons other than an assist and off-ball players embracing the need for steady motion.
It's also worth noting that Los Angeles has returned a vast majority of the players from a 2024-25 squad that ranked in the top half of the NBA in catch-and-shoot three-point field goal percentage. Unfortunately, it's yet again dead last in that very category in 2025-26—a direct result of the lack of ball and player movement.
Thankfully, Los Angeles finally played sharpshooter Dalton Knecht during their most recent outing and received 16 points and eight three-point field goal attempts in 25 minutes for their efforts.
A strong start isn't the same as a complete resolution, however, and the Lakers must be diligent in their efforts to embrace what made the offense flow in 2025-26. No matter who is or isn't playing, the ball and players both need to be in steady motion.
If the Lakers successfully resolve the lack of ball and player movement, then they'll instantly take a step forward and create a sustainable formula for success in 2025-26.