LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers always hover near greatness. Seventeen banners remind everyone. The last one dropped in 2020. With LeBron James and Luka Dončić, the purple and gold can dream big again. But to match the juggernaut in Oklahoma City, they need more.
The Lakers Are A Volume Defender Away From Catching The Thunder
Dec 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Ramona Shelburne’s ESPN piece exposed friction. LeBron and the front office were close to splitting. Cooler heads stepped back. Moving LeBron’s $52.6 million deal was always going to be a logistical nightmare. So they patched things up and doubled down.
Rob Pelinka stayed aggressive while keeping 2026 cap space open. He used the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign DeAndre Ayton and Jake LaRavia after letting Dorian Finney-Smith go. He added Marcus Smart when the Wizards cut ties. Good moves, no doubt. But one need is clear: a volume defender.
Understanding The Volume Defender
What does this even mean? The Lakers need a perimeter defender who can carry the grind. Someone who soaks up the toughest matchups. Night after night. Game after game.
The Thunder have Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace. The Clippers roll with Kris Dunn. The Rockets trust Amen Thompson. These players contribute to winning despite getting little fanfare.
The Lakers lack that edge right now. They need the volume defender type to take the lumps, not Smart.
Smart Is A Weapon, Not The Shield
Smart should not be the Lakers volume defender every night. He should be a specialist. Think Alex Caruso on the Thunder. The Thunder used Caruso smartly, pun intended. He averaged under 20 minutes last season. His defensive chaos was saved for big moments, like the Nuggets series.
Smart’s body can’t handle 35 minutes of chaos anymore. Since leaving Boston, he’s suited up for just 54 games. One big injury didn’t hit him—nagging ones piled up. His reckless hustle style always takes a toll. So protect him.
Pelinka Has Trade Chips
The Lakers front office holds cards. Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber are expirings. Dalton Knecht is tradeable despite recent struggles. Use them.
Ayo Dosunmu fits the mold. So does Keon Ellis. They’re cheap, young, and defend all night. Neither will mess up 2026 cap plans.
One Smart Move Away
Pelinka’s work deserves some credit. He filled holes without killing draft picks. But the final puzzle piece must come soon.
Without the volume defender, this Lakers will run out of gas. With him, they can pace Smart. They can squeeze every ounce of defense when it matters most.
Banner number 18 waits for no one. Time to plug the last hole. Catching the Thunder depends on it.
Credit: © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images