Los Angeles Lakers: 2017-18 most intriguing lineups preview, part 1

Defensive outlook

This is where things get troublesome for this group. It’s not to say they couldn’t hold their own against lesser teams, but it remains to be seen how adequate the rookies will be defending in the NBA.

Ball and Hart both have natural defensive instincts to deflect passes and pick up steals, but they may be physically overmatched from the beginning. Hart was a decorated defender at Villanova, and the talent jump from the Big East to the Western Conference, let alone the NBA, will take him months if not years. Opposing backcourts will continue to put up numbers on this team.

More from Hoops Habit

• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers

Ingram showed spurts of defensive potential last season, using his length to tip passes and alter shots on the wing. His foot quickness allows him to switch on the perimeter onto smaller guards, which is another way to utilize his length.

Ingram is the most versatile defender in this lineup, but I’m not ready to build a defense around him. Kuzma has the same ability to switch on the perimeter and handle guards, yet his defensive effort and instincts were a question coming out of Utah.

Brook Lopez doesn’t get enough credit for his rim protection (1.7 blocks per game in career) and is strong in the post. It’s his struggles in handling smaller guards that worries me here. He’s not the quickest player in the league, so having guards that fight over screens allowing Lopez to sag off and protect the roll is the best way to avoid switches.

If Hart can translate his defensive effort to the NBA, then this unit could be all right. But until then, this lineup has lingering concerns.