The Lakers unraveled a bit in their last three games, not only going on a losing streak capped by Thursday’s home-floor loss to the Rockets, but also irking coach JJ Redick to the point that he lambasted the group’s effort and questioned whether they care at all in his postgame media session. On Christmas Day, no less.
Something needs to change and, indeed, Redick himself indicated that changes were in the wind when he spoke to reporters on Saturday. That will probably start with the starting lineup, which has brutal defensively–in the first quarter of games, the Lakers’ defensive rating is 122.6, which is 27th in the NBA. That’s on the starters.
There will be some change, of course, because guard Austin Reaves will miss an extended period, likely more than a month, with a calf injury. But five-time All-Star John Wall says the Lakers need more than that–they need to move Rui Hachimura to the bench, too.
Rui Hachimura to the Lakers Bench
Wall, an analyst for Amazon Prime, said the Lakers need more Marcus Smart in the mix:
“For me, one move I would love to see is taking Rui out of the starting lineup, adding Marcus Smart there. I think, a guy who’s going to be able to guard the best player there and give them space and get them shots. That’s what they need.
“Rui’s great, he does other little things, little intangibles. But he’s (Rui’s) not supposed to be guarding Kevin Durant, guarding the best player on the opposing team. So, I think, that’s what you got a Marcus Smart or a Jarred Vanderbilt for. One of those guys need more minutes, because those hustle and play hard every play, those guys will do that.”
GettyMarcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers during play against the LA Clippers in the second half at Intuit Dome on December 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
Marcus Smart Should Start
Certainly, Redick has been trying to get Smart more involved with the team since he came back from a back injury on December 10. He is averaging 27.7 minutes, and he did start four games while Reaves was out with a previous calf injury.
Smart has an on/off net rating of plus-8.8, according to Basketball Reference. Opponents have an offensive rating of 114.9 with Smart on the floor, and that blooms to 122.7 when he is off the floor.
Hachimura’s on/off rating is minus-2.4.
Wall noted that it would be wrong to dump the Lakers’ problems onto Hachimura. But getting Smart in the starting bunch will, at least, help mitigate some issues.
“I think it’s an effort problem but I also think it’s communication,” Wall said. “You can’t have five guys in the starting lineup that don’t defend at a high level. You gotta be able to guard. We’re not trying to blame Rui or pick him out of everybody but he’s not supposed to be guarding a Kevin Durant or a Cade Cunningham on a nightly basis.”
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