JJ Redick was forced to be adaptable with an imperfect defensive unit in 2024-25 due to the personnel available to him following a midseason shakeup of the Los Angeles Lakers roster. With the improvements made, the head coach has no excuses to continue running a flawed system.
To Redick's credit, there were times went the on-court product did look really good. The middle of last season provided a stretch in which the Lakers boasted the best defensive rating in basketball. That was not built to last.
The majority of the season for the Lakers was spent as an underwhelming unit on that end.