The Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr's post-playing career had largely been spent in the broadcast booth before he became a top coaching candidate. Despite lacking experience as a head or assistant coach, Kerr was offered two jobs, a testament to how highly teams valued his potential. Both the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks sought him out, with Derek Fisher ultimately taking the Knicks job—a role he lasted in for less than two years.
As much importance as we assign to coaching hires, they don't matter much if the team can't get the roster right. This principle rings true for JJ Redick, whose success with the Los Angeles Lakers will hinge on the players that Rob Pelinka and his front office can provide.
A major focus for Redick will be the development of young talents like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie. This developmental priority was evident even during the Lakers' pursuit of other coaching candidates, such as Dan Hurley.
Offensive Strategy Adjustments
Redick plans to involve Anthony Davis more in the offense, especially in late-game situations. One of his primary goals is to alleviate LeBron James' ball-handling duties to keep LeBron fresh for the playoffs. Trae Young's fit with the Lakers makes a lot of sense based on several of these criteria.
Redick’s Long-term Potential
Redick's hiring implies that the Lakers are thinking more long-term. Los Angeles is confident that Redick can be 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.
During their 2020 championship run, the Lakers didn’t have a third star, which limited their ceiling. Malcolm Brogdon could probably be acquired for less than someone like Dejounte Murray, and 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.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
Ball-handling tends to be a relatively available and cheap commodity in the market. The Lakers have spent significant assets on players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell in recent years. However, wings are much harder to come by and are often developed within the organization. Most championship teams cultivate their own wings, and the Lakers appear ready to bet on Redick's developmental acumen in this regard.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
LeBron James isn't a lock to return. Until his future is secured, the Lakers have to remain flexible about life after him. 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 will translate on the court, but for now, Lakers fans can only speculate and hope for the best.
Conclusion
Redick's success will not be determined solely by his strategies. His success will be determined by 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." With talented young players and a flexible approach, the Lakers are laying the groundwork for a promising future. However, much will depend on the moves made by the front office and the uncertain future of LeBron James.