LOS ANGELES — The Lakers look like the team many expected. They sit second in the West with a 17-6 record and control their path toward a real title push. That position matters. It places them behind only one Western Conference heavyweight and gives them a chance to avoid the Oklahoma City juggernaut deep into the postseason. Securing that second seed protects their margins and buys time for internal improvements. Yet the numbers reveal clear flaws. The bench ranks last in scoring. The defense sits 21st and fails to deliver consistent stops. As the calendar pushes toward critical deadlines for both the Lakers and the Nets , every weakness becomes part of the front office calculus.
Invisible Man And DNP Specialist Edge Closer To Lakers Exits As Nets Deadline Approach
Pelinka’s First Deadline Arrives With Clarity
Rob Pelinka had a great offseason and now faces the evaluation window he set in July. His additions have delivered value. Marcus Smart has missed games but still flashes disruptive defensive playmaking. Deandre Ayton has met expectations after his buyout arrival and stabilizes the interior. Jake LaRavia continues to grow with usage and offers two-way reliability. Pelinka outlined his plan months ago. “That said, JJ and I have a high level of confidence in this group, and I think early in the season, we’re going to get a sense of where some of the needs might arise. I think as a general rule, we’ve talked before, you like 20-25 games to kind of see what the makeup of your team looks like and see where it’s at and then you start evaluating those roster moves. But we feel good about the optionality.”
The Lakers have now played 23 games. The assessment window has closed. The decisions begin.
The Second Deadline Centers on Brooklyn’s Rebuild
The next pressure point sits on the East Coast as the Lakers and Nets deadlines converge. The Nets are in the second year of a teardown and plan to move veterans for future assets. Their market opens on December 15, when Ziaire Williams and Day’Ron Sharpe become trade eligible. That timing aligns perfectly with Los Angeles’ internal review, ensuring both front offices operate in the same window. Brooklyn wants picks. Los Angeles wants roster balance. Both understand the urgency of the moment.
Vincent and Vanderbilt Become Central Trade Pieces
Two names keep surfacing as teams anticipate discussions. Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt represent the clearest outgoing candidates. JJ Redick trusts Vincent’s steadiness, but the production remains minimal. He averages 5.1 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.7 assists in 22.3 minutes.
Players who average the least Points+Rebounds+Assists in at least 20 minutes per game…
What stands out? pic.twitter.com/bMcMQrucxP
— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) December 8, 2025
Basketball University reports he has produced the lowest combined points, rebounds, and assists of any player logging at least 20 minutes. That statistic fuels the “invisible man” label and widens frustration across the fan base. Vanderbilt’s situation feels more severe. Once a valuable defensive forward, he now receives frequent DNPs. He averages 4.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists but cannot regain the staff’s confidence. His offensive struggles– shooting 26.7% from behind-the-arc–11–have turned him into a bystander on a roster that needs reliability.
A Pivotal Moment Arrives
The Lakers know their ceiling depends on swift and targeted upgrades. Their start created opportunity, but the roster still requires rotation-level scoring and defensive consistency. As both Lakers and Nets ‘deadlines’ tighten, Pelinka and Redick face a decisive stretch. The choices they make now will determine whether this strong beginning becomes a deep playoff run or another season defined by delusion.
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