EL SEGUNDO — The Lakers are coming out of All-Star Weekend in a better position than they’ve been in after the midseason break the past few years, while also working through several changes.
The pre-trade deadline acquisition of star guard Luka Doncic and the departure of All-Star big man Anthony Davis changed the team’s complexion and outlook for the season.
The Lakers are coming out of the break with a 32-20 record, sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference standings with 30 games remaining entering Wednesday night’s home game against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. They’re half a game behind fourth-place Houston and 2½ games behind third-place Denver, while sitting two games ahead of the sixth-place Clippers and three games ahead of seventh-place Minnesota.
After a busy few weeks ahead of the break, here are three storylines to keep an eye on for the remainder of the regular season:
INCORPORATING DONCIC
The Lakers are only starting to scratch the surface when it comes to integrating their newest superstar.
Through two games, a blowout home win against the Utah Jazz and a road loss to the Jazz right before the All-Star break, Doncic is averaging 15 points, 4.5 rebounds and four assists.
It’s understandable for Doncic’s statistical production to be what it has been in his past couple of games.
Doncic was coming off being sidelined for six weeks because of a strained left calf before making his Lakers debut in the Feb. 10 victory over the Jazz.
He’s been on a minutes restriction in both games, playing 24 and 23 minutes in the matchups.
But in limited action, it’s become apparent what the five-time All-NBA first-team honoree will add to this Lakers roster.
Doncic’s playmaking has already stood out, with a handful of behind-the-back passes or passing reads that caught his new teammates off guard.
It was already clear that Doncic would add different layers of production and efficiency to the Lakers’ offense. The Dallas Mavericks finished No. 8 or higher in offensive efficiency in four of the previous five seasons with Doncic at the helm. The Lakers were producing at the rate of a top-eight offense in their previous 10 games before Doncic made his debut.
Coach JJ Redick has said the team has gone through a months-long process of simplifying the offense, and that has especially been the case in light of their recent additions.
But the three-man offensive engine of Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves should be able to help the Lakers produce at an even higher level, especially once Doncic is more comfortable.
SMALL-BALL LINEUPS
How often are the Lakers willing to lean on smaller lineups?
The Lakers were already playing a significant amount of minutes with James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura or Dorian Finney-Smith playing center without another big man on the court with them.
The team signed 7-foot Alex Len shortly before the break to back up now-starting big man Jaxson Hayes, but Len hasn’t played significant minutes in a few seasons.
It’s unclear whether they’ll add another big man to the roster.
The Lakers have played well with their small-big groups, winning those possessions by a decent margin. Whether that is sustainable for the remainder of the season is something to keep an eye on.
HEALTH CONCERNS
Gabe Vincent (left knee soreness) and Finney-Smith (left ankle soreness) weren’t available in the road loss to the Jazz, with the duo getting the game off to rest pre-existing ailments.
Vincent had left knee surgery last season, while Finney-Smith has been dealing with ankle issues for the past couple of months.
Redick said it was “just standard maintenance” for both players.
James didn’t play in Sunday’s All-Star game, citing lingering discomfort in his left foot and ankle.
Hayes suffered a facial contusion in the second game against the Jazz, while Doncic could still be under a playing time restriction coming out of the break.