The Los Angeles Lakers made headlines this offseason with their controversial hiring of first-year head coach JJ Redick, shortly after the former NBA sharpshooter and LeBron James launched their “Mind The Game” podcast. This move raised eyebrows and fueled speculation that the decision was heavily influenced by LeBron. However, early optimism followed the Lakers’ 3-0 start to the 2024-2025 NBA season, as Reddick’s coaching and the team’s strong performances—led by LeBron and a dominant Anthony Davis—seemed to indicate a promising future. But as quickly as the optimism grew, so did the concern. The Lakers have since stumbled to a 1-4 record over their last five games, including three double-digit losses, and things have begun to spiral.
The Lakers’ Offense Struggling to Adapt in a Three-Point Heavy NBA
Despite strong individual performances from their stars, the Lakers’ shooting struggles have once again emerged as a glaring issue. Through their first three games, the Lakers shot over 41% from three-point range in two of those contests, but since then, their long-range shooting has faltered. In their last five games, the Lakers have only surpassed 41% from three once, during their 109-105 loss to Phoenix. Three-point shooting has long been a weak point for the Lakers, dating back to the majority of the LeBron James era in Los Angeles, and it remains a persistent issue for the team this season.
Currently, the Lakers rank among the NBA’s bottom five teams in both three-point attempts and three-point percentage. As the league continues to evolve with an emphasis on the three-pointer, the Lakers’ inability to adapt to this modern style of play is becoming a critical disadvantage. Historically, LeBron James’ championship-winning teams have been built on having a deep roster of three-point shooters, but the current Lakers roster still lacks that necessary perimeter shooting threat.
The Need for More Three-Point Shooters to Compete for a Championship
In today’s NBA, teams that thrive are those that take—and make—a high volume of three-pointers. The Lakers currently average just 32 three-point attempts per game, the third-lowest mark in the league. By comparison, the top three-point shooting teams, like the Boston Celtics, attempt upwards of 40 shots from beyond the arc per game. The Celtics, for example, take a mind-boggling 51 three-pointers a game, showing just how important this aspect of the game has become. If the Lakers are to contend for an NBA title this season, they must find a way to adapt to this modern offensive style.
Will JJ Redick’s Coaching Philosophy Unlock the Lakers’ Potential?
While JJ Redick’s transition into coaching has shown early promise, with his sharp basketball IQ and vocal leadership, it is clear that adjustments are needed. The Lakers have the star power with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but to truly maximize their potential, the team needs to diversify its offense and improve its perimeter shooting. The recent struggles may also suggest that Reddick’s approach is still evolving as he navigates his first head coaching job. His frustration with the team’s lack of effort (specifically D’Angelo Russell) as seen in his abrupt walk-off during a postgame press conference, seems to highlight the current mood in the Lakers locker room.
Is a Trade on the Horizon for the Lakers?
Given the Lakers’ current three-point shooting woes, it’s clear that acquiring additional shooting talent should be a priority. A trade for a reliable shooter or two could make all the difference for the Lakers as they look to round out their roster for a championship run. Whether through trades later in the season or player development, addressing the three-point shooting issue is paramount for the Lakers’ success in 2024-2025.
