Lakers came with a squad of young team in their roster this season. But after four preseason games, Lakers need adjustment in their roster to make them more effective in defense. Especially, considering Lakers is not a good team in their defense end.
In their five preseason games, Lakers won two and lost three matches. Their squad of young players still showed inconsistencies in their play. Those inconsistencies are shown in their two consecutive losses against Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings.
Head coach Luke Walton admitted that Lakers need to improve their play, particularly in defense, as reported by Los Angeles Times. Walton said that the Lakers must break the habit of making many fouls in defense. Currently, Los Angeles Lakers are ranked third in fouls during the preseason games, with 26.5 fouls per game, just below Oklahoma City Thunder and the Clippers.
"You're at a deficit in this league when you're trying to chase someone down or slide to somebody," Walton explained his observation about why his players made so many fouls. "It's natural to want to try to swipe at the ball or do something where you shell them a little bit."
After observing the preseason, Lakers began to trim its roster starting Wednesday. They waived Travis Wear, along with rookies Julian Jacobs and Zach Auguste. The three of them may play in the Lakers D-League team, the Defenders.
After the five preseason games, according to Hoops Habit, there are five players who were dominant in the Lakers. They are shooting guard Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson, power forward Julius Randle, small forward Luol Deng and point guard D'Angelo Russel.
Lakers will have to trim its squade more into 15 players entering the regular season, according to Bleacher Report. Coach Walton and co-head coach Brian Shaw still have to discard two more players from the current roster after letting go of Wear, Jacobs and Auguste.
Watch the highlight of the preseason game between Lakers and Trailblazers on Oct. 11 in Staples Center below:
