During the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers stressed defense in order to create fastbreak opportunities. However, through the first three games of the preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, they are playing fast but unable to defend their opponents.

As the Lakers prepare for the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas, head coach Luke Walton was asked about the fastest way to improve the team's defense according to Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints:

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For the youngest team in the league with a shortened training camp/preseason schedule, it will take time and there is no easy fix. While the Lakers have some players with defensive potential, they will need to show more consistent effort if they want to create easy opportunities on the other end.

As this is the first full season under President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka, it will be interesting how patient the franchise is. With an emphasis on building a winning culture, the Lakers have not gotten off to a solid start.

As Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram sat out the third preseason game against the Nuggets, Brook Lopez and Andrew Bogut have not made an appearance. The hope is Lopez's presence is what they have been missing and can begin to play solid basketball heading into the 2017-18 NBA season.