The Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr's transition from a successful playing career to the broadcast booth set the stage for his eventual leap into coaching. Despite lacking experience as a head or assistant coach, Kerr became the top candidate in a competitive hiring cycle, receiving job offers from both the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks. Derek Fisher ultimately took the Knicks job but lasted less than two years, underscoring a crucial point: as important as coaching hires are, they don't matter much if the team can't get the roster right.
JJ Redick finds himself in a similar position as the newly appointed head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. His success in Los Angeles will hinge largely on the players that General Manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' front office can provide. A major focus will be the development of young talents like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie. This developmental priority was a focus even during the pursuit of other coaching candidates like Dan Hurley.
Offensive Strategy Adjustments
One of Redick's primary goals is to adjust the offensive strategy to better involve Anthony Davis, especially in late-game situations. Redick also aims to alleviate LeBron James' ball-handling duties to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Trae Young's fit with the Lakers is evident based on several of these criteria, as he could help distribute the ball and lower the physical toll on James.
Redick’s Long-term Potential
Redick's hiring signals that the Lakers are thinking long-term. Los Angeles is optimistic that Redick can become their version of Erik Spoelstra or Steve Kerr—a culture-setter who can grow with the franchise for over a decade. With foundational pieces like James and Davis, it's a solid starting point. However, during their 2020 championship run, the Lakers didn't have a third star, limiting their ceiling.
Targeting additional talent will be crucial. Malcolm Brogdon appears to be a more feasible acquisition compared to someone like Dejounte Murray. Collin Sexton was reportedly a target for the Lakers at the trade deadline, indicating the team's proactive approach in reinforcing the roster.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
Acquiring talent is never easy, especially in key positions. Ball-handling tends to be a relatively available and inexpensive commodity in the market. The Lakers have invested significant assets in players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell in recent years. On the other hand, wings are much harder to come by and are often developed within the organization. Most championship teams cultivate their own wings, making this one of the tougher challenges facing Redick and the Lakers' front office.
The Lakers appear ready to bet on Redick's developmental acumen in this regard. If he can successfully develop their young talents and integrate new acquisitions into a cohesive unit, the team has a bright future ahead.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
One of the most significant uncertainties facing the Lakers is the future of LeBron James. James isn't a lock to return, which forces the team to remain flexible about life after him. This unpredictability complicates long-term planning, and until his future is secured, the Lakers will have to tread carefully.
There's no easy way to project the Lakers' roster at this point. While we understand the broad strokes of how Redick wants to build the team, we lack concrete details on the overall plan. As the season progresses, it will become clearer how Redick's vision translates on the court. For now, Lakers fans can only speculate and hope for the best.
Redick's success will not be solely determined by his strategies and adjustments. Ultimately, it will hinge on how well the team can assemble a supportive and talented roster around him. As one source noted, “Los Angeles is confident he can be their version of Erik Spoelstra or Steve Kerr—a culture-setter who can grow with the franchise for over a decade.”