Lakers have rebuilt the roster, but their biggest problem refuses to leave

The Los Angeles Lakers have won four of their first six games of the season. Their newly revamped core has shown a lot of good signs early on, but if anything, it is still a bit of a reach to call this team a title contender.

The Lakers have the second-best offensive rating in the league which is highly impressive. However, this is already to be expected. The concerning part is that they are once again allowing their opponents to bleed points as they rank a measly 19th in defensive rating.

Sounds familiar, right? Well, L.A. may have a different squad now, but their formula remains the same, and it is bound to lead them to a similar result when it's all said and done.

The Lakers have a new roster this season but they have not changed one bit

Luka Doncic is once again playing like a strong MVP candidate, averaging massive numbers and leading the league in scoring with an eye-popping 36.2 points a night. Austin Reaves has been uber efficient to start the season as well.

Their new faces have played well so far. Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Collin Sexton, and Ziaire Williams have all been more than serviceable. It is clear that the Lakers have a deeper team compared to recent years.

That, however, has not been enough to veer them away from their DNA, which includes a nearly genetic issue when it comes to preventing points from their opponents. 

The Lakers remain highly vulnerable on D, especially out in the perimeter. They do have defensive-minded guys like Thybulle and Williams, but their role players can only help so much when their two best players in Doncic and Reaves constantly negate their production on offense with their lethargic defense.

It is still early in the season, but the Lakers are not really bringing anything new to the table. They might still be able to mount a strong regular season, but beyond that, their success is highly dubious.