The Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr, a household name in basketball circles, spent the majority of his post-playing career analyzing games from the broadcast booth. Despite lacking experience as a head or assistant coach, he became the top candidate for coaching positions in a particular hiring cycle, receiving offers from both the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks. While Derek Fisher ultimately took the Knicks job, lasting less than two years, it illuminated a crucial point in professional basketball: as significant as coaching hires might seem, they pale in comparison to the importance of getting the roster right.
Redick’s Success Hinges on the Roster
For J.J. Redick, the newly appointed head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, his success will largely depend on the pieces that Rob Pelinka and his front office can put together. A significant focus will be on the development of young talents such as Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie. This developmental priority was apparent even during the Lakers' pursuit of other coaching candidates like Dan Hurley. As the franchise looks to the future, investing in these young players will be a cornerstone of Redick’s strategy.
Offensive Strategy Adjustments
Redick plans to make pivotal adjustments to the Lakers' offensive strategy. Specifically, he aims to involve Anthony Davis more in the offense, especially in late-game scenarios. One of his primary goals is to reduce LeBron James’ ball-handling duties to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Considering Trae Young's fit with the Lakers, this move aligns well with several criteria, as Young could effectively share or take over some of the playmaking responsibilities.
Redick’s Long-term Potential
The hiring of Redick signifies that the Lakers are adopting a long-term approach. Los Angeles is 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 LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it’s a promising starting point.
However, during their 2020 championship run, the Lakers lacked a third star, which somewhat limited their ceiling. As the front office navigates possible acquisitions, Malcolm Brogdon seems like a feasible option who could be acquired for less than someone like Dejounte Murray. Additionally, Collin Sexton was reportedly a target for the Lakers at the trade deadline.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
While ball-handling guards are relatively available and cost-effective in the market, wings present a more significant challenge. The Lakers have spent considerable assets on players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell in recent years. Wings, however, are much harder to come by and are often developed within an organization. Most championship teams cultivate their own wings, and it appears that the Lakers are ready to bet on Redick’s developmental acumen in this area.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
The future of LeBron James remains uncertain. Until his return is secured, the Lakers have to stay flexible and plan for life after LeBron. Projecting the Lakers’ roster at this point is complex. Although we understand the broad strokes of how Redick envisions building the team, concrete details on the overall plan are still lacking. 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.
Ultimately, J.J. Redick’s success will not hinge solely on his strategies. The true determinant will be how well the team can assemble a supportive and talented roster around him. To echo the sentiments of those within the organization: “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.”