Lakers still have plenty to figure out in search of real identity

We can safely say that while the Lakers are winning games, they still look far from true title contenders.

Record aside, the profile is shaky, writes Khobi Price of the California Post.

Los Angeles sits at 27-17 (entering Monday night) and has won three of its last four, but the foundation remains uneven. Injuries have played a role. LeBron James missed camp, preseason, and the first 14 games with sciatica. Austin Reaves has barely been available since mid-December. Luka Doncic, James, and Reaves have shared the floor in only eight of 44 games.

Still, the bigger issue is identity.

The Lakers rank ninth in offense, which is good, but not elite. The defense ranks 25th, which is not good enough for a team with championship ambitions. Their roster lacks two-way balance, their execution fluctuates, and their losses have often been ugly. Fifteen of 17 defeats have come by double digits, and the overall point differential is negative.

As Price notes, real contenders are built on consistency. The Lakers are not there yet.

Coach JJ Redick echoed that point, emphasizing effort, execution, and the need to sustain performance on both ends.

Price also argues lineup choices will matter once Reaves returns. The Doncic-Reaves-LeBron-Hachimura-Ayton group struggled in limited minutes earlier this season, while more defense-oriented combinations have provided better balance.

Bottom line: The Lakers have the stars. The path to contention runs through structure, lineup clarity, and far more consistency on both ends.