The Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr's post-playing career has largely been spent in the broadcast booth. Despite lacking experience as a head or assistant coach, he became the top candidate in the hiring cycle and was offered two jobs. The Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks both sought him out. Ultimately, Derek Fisher took the Knicks job and lasted less than two years. This underscores a critical point in the NBA: as much as we emphasize coaching hires, they are futile without proper roster construction.
Rob Pelinka and his front office's ability to provide the right players will be crucial to J.J. Redick's success in Los Angeles. A major focus will be the development of young talents like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie. Development remained a priority even during the Lakers' pursuit of other coaching candidates like Dan Hurley.
Offensive Strategy Adjustments
Redick plans to involve Anthony Davis more in the offensive scheme, especially in late-game situations. One of his major goals is to alleviate LeBron James' ball-handling duties to keep LeBron fresh for the playoffs. Trae Young’s potential fit with the Lakers is compelling based on these criteria.
This approach signals a long-term vision for the organization. The Lakers are confident 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 strong starting point.
The Search for the Third Star
During their 2020 championship run, the Lakers didn’t have a third star, which limited their ceiling. Players like Malcolm Brogdon, who could be acquired for less than someone like Dejounte Murray, present an opportunity. Collin Sexton was reportedly a target for the Lakers at the trade deadline. However, the wing market is typically less forgiving and more challenging to navigate than the guard market. Championship teams often cultivate their own wings, and the Lakers appear ready to bet on Redick's developmental acumen in this regard.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
Ball-handling tends to be relatively available and cheap in the market. The Lakers have spent significant assets on players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell in recent years. In contrast, wings are much harder to come by and are often developed within the organization. Most championship teams cultivate their own wings.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
LeBron James isn't a lock to return, adding another layer of complexity to the Lakers' plans. Until his future is secured, the team has to remain flexible about life after LeBron. Consequently, projecting the Lakers’ roster is difficult. While we understand the broad strokes of how Redick wants to build the team, concrete details of the overall plan remain elusive. 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.
Ultimately, J.J. Redick's success will not be determined solely by his coaching strategies. His success hinges on how well the Lakers can assemble a supportive and talented roster around him. The organization believes Redick can be their culture-setter for the long haul, similar to what Erik Spoelstra and Steve Kerr have done for their respective teams. Quotes
"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."