The Lakers’ offseason approach saw the team swap out defense for offense in their roster remake. Out went solid defenders like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso and Kyle Kuzma and in came score-first replacements like Kendrick Nunn, Carmelo Anthony and Wayne Ellington.
The series of changes showed the need the Lakers placed on offensive production after flaming out in the playoffs due to an inability to make shots. However, the team has not punted on the idea of having one of the top defenses as they did last season.
“We lost some strong perimeter defenders,” head coach Frank Vogel said during media day.