The Importance of Roster Construction
Much of Steve Kerr's post-playing career was spent in the broadcast booth, which made his leap into coaching all the more surprising. Despite lacking experience as a head or assistant coach, Kerr became the top candidate during his coaching cycle and received offers from both the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks. Derek Fisher ultimately took the Knicks job, though he didn't last two years in the role. This speaks volumes about the importance of proper roster construction.
As significant as coaching hires are, they become meaningless if the team cannot assemble the right roster. The success of J.J. Redick in Los Angeles will heavily depend on the players that general manager Rob Pelinka and his front office can provide. In particular, the development of young talents like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie will be pivotal. This developmental focus was clear 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 during late-game situations. One of his major goals is to alleviate LeBron James' ball-handling duties in order to keep James fresh for the playoffs. Trae Young's potential fit with the Lakers aligns well with these strategic adjustments.
Redick’s Long-Term Potential
The hiring of Redick indicates that the Lakers are thinking long-term. Los Angeles believes 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 solid starting point for Redick’s tenure.
During their 2020 championship run, the Lakers didn’t have a third star, which ultimately limited their ceiling. Adding a player like Malcolm Brogdon could be more feasible and less costly than acquiring someone like Dejounte Murray. Collin Sexton was reportedly a target for the Lakers at the trade deadline, highlighting their ongoing search for complementary talent.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
Ball-handling is a relatively available and cheap commodity in the market. However, the Lakers have spent significant assets in acquiring players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell in recent years. Wings, on the other hand, 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 to do the same.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
LeBron James' future with the Lakers remains uncertain, which forces the team to remain flexible about life after him. Until his future is secured, there's no easy way to project the Lakers’ roster. While we understand the broad strokes of Redick's vision for the team, concrete details remain sparse. 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 hinge on how well the team can assemble a supportive and talented roster around him. The Lakers are confident that Redick can be their long-term solution, becoming a culture-setter in the mold of Erik Spoelstra or Steve Kerr. With the right roster, Redick has the potential to lead the Lakers into a new era of sustained success.
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.”