Kendrick Perkins believes the Los Angeles Lakers' ceiling this season is a second-round playoff exit because of their poor defense and starting center Deandre Ayton's constant struggles and complaints.
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the All-Star break with a 33-21 record. Despite sitting fifth in the Western Conference, ex-NBA champion Kendrick Perkins predicts their playoff run won't go far and will end up in the second round.
Los Angeles Lakers / Schedule
"They can't guard senior citizens at recess," Perkins said on First Take. "They're one of the worst defensive teams in the league. They have a big that complain every day in [Deandre] Ayton. You look at his numbers and think because he has a double-double, but that's fool's gold."
Lakers' leader Luka Doncic, however, remains confident.
"I think we can do it. We have the team for it," he said, calling L.A. a championship contender.
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At the February 5 trade deadline, the Lakers made a single move, sending Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
While the team struggled with athleticism and defense early in the season, they were unable to fully address these weaknesses.
Last season, the Lakers were knocked out in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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