The Importance of Roster Construction
Much of Kerr's post-playing career had been spent in the broadcast booth. Despite his lack of experience as a head or assistant coach, Kerr became the top candidate in the coaching cycle and was offered two jobs. Both the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks sought him out, with Derek Fisher ultimately taking the Knicks job and lasting 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 sentiment is particularly relevant when discussing the Los Angeles Lakers and their new head coach, JJ Redick. Redick's success in Los Angeles will heavily rely on the players that Rob Pelinka and his front office provide.
A major focus for the Lakers will be the development of young talents like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie. This developmental priority was apparent even during the 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 major 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
The hiring of Redick 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. Additionally, 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. Wings, however, are much harder to come by and are often developed within the organization. Most championship teams cultivate their own wings.
The Lakers appear ready to bet on Redick's developmental acumen in this regard. Whether this gamble pays off will be critical to the team's success in the coming years.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
LeBron James isn't a lock to return, and until his future is secure, 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, 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. For now, Lakers fans can only speculate and hope for the best. Redick's success will not be determined solely by his strategies or coaching prowess. His ultimate success will depend on how well the team can assemble a supportive and talented roster around him.
In Conclusion
“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.” This quote captures the optimism surrounding Redick's hiring. However, as with any successful sports team, the real test will be in the execution—both of the coach's vision and the management's ability to build a formidable roster.
For the Lakers, balancing immediate success with long-term growth will be a tightrope walk. With key players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, paired with emerging talents and a hopeful front office, the foundation is there. Now it's up to JJ Redick and the Lakers' management to turn potential into reality.