At one point earlier this season, the Los Angeles Lakers were trying to win primarily through a strong defensive approach and a careful, almost conservative, offensive strategy. While this approach did yield some level of success, it also made it clear that their margin for error was razor-thin. Even LeBron James himself admitted that they didn’t have much wiggle room when it came to making mistakes.
But everything shifted dramatically last month when Luka Dončić arrived. His presence on the court has been nothing short of transformational for the Lakers. Head coach JJ Redick even likened Dončić and LeBron James to "supercomputers," operating at a level of basketball intelligence that few others in the league can match. As for Austin Reaves? Well, in that comparison, he’s like a high-performance gaming PC—capable, but not quite in the same category.
The Luka Effect: A Game-Changer for the Lakers
Luka Dončić is an offensive force that demands constant attention. His ability to knock down three-pointers off the dribble forces defenders into situations they aren’t always prepared for. The level of defensive pressure he attracts—double teams, traps, and relentless coverage—is something that even LeBron hasn't consistently drawn in recent years. This opens up new opportunities for the Lakers’ entire offensive system.
Key Elements of Dončić’s Impact:
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Unmatched Pick-and-Roll Mastery: He’s one of the best in the league at dissecting defenses in pick-and-roll situations.
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Court Vision & Playmaking: With defenders swarming him, Dončić has a multitude of passing options—finding the roller, hitting weak-side shooters, or swinging the ball to the open man.
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Three-Point Gravity: His deep shooting range forces defenses to stretch, giving teammates more room to operate.
A New Offensive Identity
Before Dončić’s arrival, the Lakers struggled to consistently generate the high-percentage, open three-pointers that elite teams like Boston and Cleveland rely on. Redick saw this as a "geometry problem." Simply put, the Lakers lacked the offensive spacing to break down defenses efficiently.
Since acquiring Dončić, that problem has started to fade. The Lakers' offensive strategy has evolved into a modern, high-volume three-point shooting approach—something Redick had envisioned when he took the job. The numbers tell the story:
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Before Dončić: The Lakers attempted 34.3 three-pointers per 100 possessions, ranking 26th in the NBA.
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After Dončić’s Debut (Feb. 10): That number skyrocketed to 42.3 attempts per 100 possessions, the second-highest in the NBA over that stretch.
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On-Court Impact: When Dončić is on the floor, the Lakers’ three-point frequency jumps by 6%, placing them in the 94th percentile league-wide (per Cleaning The Glass).
This drastic shift in offensive philosophy has made the Lakers a much more dynamic and unpredictable team. Dončić’s pull-up and step-back threes from nearly 30 feet out put defenses in a constant state of unease. Teams must decide whether to challenge his shot—risking him blowing by them—or focus on his passing, which could carve them up just as easily.
The Work in Progress
While the offensive transformation is exciting, it’s not yet fully realized. The Lakers are still struggling to convert their three-point attempts at a high clip. Dončić himself has been somewhat inconsistent in this area, hitting only 33.6% of his threes in his first 15 games with L.A. Meanwhile, injuries to key players like LeBron James and Rui Hachimura have further slowed the team’s offensive cohesion.
For now, the Lakers are still winning with their defense. But once their shooting percentages improve and they consistently dominate transition opportunities, they could become a nightmare matchup for any team in the league. With Dončić in the lineup, Los Angeles now has a weapon unlike any they’ve had in recent years—one that could redefine their championship aspirations.
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