The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves on shaky ground after dropping three consecutive games and seven of their last ten, leading to a slip from second to fourth in the Western Conference. Currently holding a 43-28 record, they share this position with the fifth-place Memphis Grizzlies and only have a two-game buffer over the sixth-place Golden State Warriors. Head coach JJ Redick has identified securing at least the sixth seed as the team's primary goal, aiming for rest and preparation time ahead of the playoffs.

However, this lowered expectation raises concerns about complacency. Setting a modest target might inadvertently encourage players to ease off against weaker opponents, echoing past seasons where the Lakers struggled against teams they should have beaten. With a healthy roster, the Lakers must elevate their aspirations, targeting the second seed to enhance their playoff position and avoid early exits.