LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 2, 2026: Lakers LeBron James reacts with Jake LaRavia (12) and Luka Doncic (77) after the team pulls away from the Memphis Grizzlies to win 121-128 at Crypto.com Arena on January 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to struggle during Austin Reaves’ time on the injured list. Both Luka Doncic and LeBron James have played incredible basketball, but they have lost four of their last five games. Woeful defeats to the Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Hornets prove that even the worst teams have a chance against the Lakers on the right night.
NBA analyst and retired center Kendrick Perkins said the Lakers playing selfish basketball as individuals is their real problem:
“That’s a bunch of individuals. That’s showing up to work, do your job, everybody go their own way, and that’s how they perform on the floor. When you have defensive teams with defensive individuals that look the way that they’ve looked, not on the same page, then they definitely don’t have the chemistry off the floor.”
Perkins claims that the Lakers don’t have the team spirit that most great teams need to contend for a title. James and Doncic putting up incredible stats helps their individual careers by playing good basketball, but this doesn’t always lead to victories. Perkins also called out the defense since the Lakers are unable to get on the same page to stop opposing teams as the biggest problem.
Perkins Questions If Lakers Hang Out
Another quote from Perkins talks about chemistry and the best teams getting closer off the court to build that teamwork during off nights. Things like a group chat and team dinners were questioned by Perkins since many teams have those to grow closer during the season.
“Did you just have the audacity to call the Lakers a team?” Perkins said on NBA Today. “That’s not a team, that’s a bunch of individuals. I’m willing to bet everything that I have that it’s not a group chat with the Lakers. If it is, ain’t nobody saying nothing. I’m willing to bet it’s no team dinners on the road.”
The Lakers have a microscope under everything they do when it comes to the win loss results. A hot start created expectations to remain in the upper echelon of the Western Conference, but the lackluster play as of late is pushing them further behind the elite teams.
Can Lakers Improve At Trade Deadline?
The Lakers will get Reaves back at some point in the near future to add a third star to the equation. James, Doncic and Reaves have the chance to make some noise together as a big three, but the team defense badly needs to improve.
Opposing teams typically destroy the Lakers via open three-pointers and easy baskets. A trade deadline move could improve the overall defense and maybe even fix the chemistry issues that Perkins is calling out. However, the Lakers only have so few assets, and reports indicate they are planning it safe for a better future.
The current team is most likely the core for the rest of the season and heading into the playoffs. Los Angeles might be able to add a couple of role players, but the players currently playing will decide their future. Perkins must be proved wrong for the Lakers to succeed via chemistry and hustle.