The Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr's post-playing career initially revolved around his role in the broadcast booth. Despite lacking experience as a head or assistant coach, Kerr became the top candidate during his coaching cycle, receiving offers from both the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks. Ultimately, Derek Fisher took the Knicks job but lasted less than two years.
As critical as coaching hires seem, they bear limited importance if the team fails to construct an effective roster. For the Los Angeles Lakers, J.J. Redick's success will heavily depend on the players that General Manager Rob Pelinka and his front office provide. A significant focus will be on the development of young talents such as Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie, a developmental priority that was evident even during the pursuit of other coaching candidates like Dan Hurley.
Offensive Strategy Adjustments
As part of his strategy, Redick plans to involve Anthony Davis more in the offense, particularly in late-game situations. One of his major goals is to relieve LeBron James of ball-handling duties, thereby keeping LeBron fresh for the playoffs. Trae Young's fit with the Lakers checks several of these boxes, suggesting a potential synergy between the player and the team's needs.
Redick’s Long-term Potential
Redick's hiring implies that the Lakers are planning for the long term. Los Angeles is confident that Redick can become their version of Erik Spoelstra or Steve Kerr—a culture-setter capable of growing with the franchise over an extended period. With foundational pieces like James and Davis, the Lakers have a promising starting point. During their 2020 championship run, the Lakers didn’t have a third star, which limited their ceiling. The acquisition of a player like Malcolm Brogdon could be feasible and less costly than pursuing someone like Dejounte Murray. Collin Sexton was also reportedly a target for the Lakers at the trade deadline. However, navigating the wing market remains more challenging.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
The ball-handling market typically offers more options at lower costs. The Lakers have invested significant assets in players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell in recent years. However, wings are harder to acquire and often need to be developed internally. 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
Another variable is the uncertain future of LeBron James. Until his status is secured, the Lakers must remain flexible about life after him. This ambiguity makes it challenging to project the Lakers' roster for the upcoming season. While we understand the broad strokes of how Redick intends to build the team, concrete details on the overall plan are still lacking. As the season progresses, it will become clearer how Redick's vision translates on the court, but for now, Lakers fans can only speculate and hope for the best.
Redick’s success will not be determined solely by his strategies; rather, it will hinge on how well the team can assemble a supportive and talented roster around him. In the words of a team insider, “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.”