The Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr spent the bulk of his post-playing career in the broadcast booth before becoming one of the most sought-after candidates for an NBA coaching position despite lacking experience as a head or assistant coach. When the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks sought him out, it underscored how pivotal roster construction is to a team's success. Derek Fisher ultimately took the Knicks job and lasted less than two years, serving as a reminder that the best coaching hires mean little if the team can't get the roster right.
JJ Redick's success with the Los Angeles Lakers will hinge on the players that General Manager Rob Pelinka and his front office can provide. A significant focus will be the development of young talents like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie. This developmental priority was emphasized even during the pursuit of other coaching candidates like Dan Hurley.
Offensive Strategy Adjustments
Redick plans to involve Anthony Davis more in the offense, especially during late-game situations. One of his major goals is to alleviate LeBron James' ball-handling duties, thereby keeping LeBron fresh for the playoffs. The potential fit of Trae Young with the Lakers aligns well with this strategy, highlighting how roster tweaks can complement a coach's vision.
Redick’s Long-term Potential
Redick's hiring reflects the Lakers' long-term thinking. Los Angeles is confident that Redick can emulate the success 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, the Lakers have a solid starting point.
During their 2020 championship run, the Lakers didn't have a third star, which limited their ceiling. Malcolm Brogdon could potentially be acquired for less than someone like Dejounte Murray, and Collin Sexton was reportedly a target for the Lakers at the trade deadline. However, acquiring quality wings is typically more challenging and essential for a championship run.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
While ball-handling tends to be a relatively available and affordable commodity, wings are much harder to come by and are often developed within the organization. The Lakers have spent significant assets on players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell in recent years. 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, which adds another layer of complexity to the Lakers' plans. 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. 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.
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."