As the Los Angeles Lakers gear up for their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, predictions suggest they may pivot towards building around Luka Doncic if their postseason does not yield success. Currently holding the No. 4 seed, the Lakers face a critical moment in their championship quest. FS1's Nick Wright speculates that a disappointing playoff run could result in the Lakers trading Austin Reaves, a breakout star averaging 23.3 points per game, to acquire better defensive assets. The Lakers' recent strategy involved acquiring Luke Kennard, a three-point specialist, but they missed opportunities to secure a more versatile three-and-D player before the trade deadline. With a regular-season scoring average of 115.7 points per game, the Lakers' defensive issues, allowing 115.6 points per game, could hinder their playoff success. If these struggles persist, the franchise may explore trading Reaves for a more balanced player to improve their chances next season.