The Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr's post-playing career largely revolved around his time in the broadcast booth. Despite lacking direct experience as a head or assistant coach, Kerr became a top candidate in a hiring cycle and was offered two jobs. Both the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks pursued him. Ultimately, Derek Fisher took the Knicks job but lasted less than two years, highlighting an important lesson: regardless of the importance we place on coaching hires, they are insignificant if the team cannot get the roster right.
The success of a coach, exemplified now by J.J. Redick in Los Angeles, is heavily reliant on the players that General Manager Rob Pelinka and his front office can provide. A key focus will be the development of young talents such as Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie. This developmental priority was evident even during the Lakers' pursuit of other coaching candidates like Dan Hurley.
Offensive Strategy Adjustments
Redick plans to involve Anthony Davis more in the offensive game plan, especially in crucial late-game situations. One of his significant goals is to alleviate LeBron James' ball-handling responsibilities to keep James fresh for the playoffs. Several of these criteria make Trae Young an intriguing potential fit for the Lakers.
Redick’s Long-term Potential
The hiring of Redick signals that the Lakers are thinking long-term. Los Angeles is confident that Redick can emulate coaches like Erik Spoelstra or Steve Kerr—a culture-setter who can grow with the franchise over the next decade. With foundational pieces like James and Davis, the Lakers have a solid starting point.
During their 2020 championship run, the Lakers did not have a third star, which limited their ceiling. Players like Malcolm Brogdon, who could be acquired for less than a high-profile target like Dejounte Murray, or Collin Sexton, reportedly a target during the trade deadline, could bolster the roster. The wing market is typically more challenging to navigate, necessitating internal development.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
Ball-handling tends to be relatively available and a cheap commodity in the market. In recent years, the Lakers have spent significant assets on players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell. Wings, however, 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 in this regard.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
LeBron James' return is not guaranteed, compelling the Lakers to remain flexible regarding life after him. The difficulty in projecting the Lakers’ future roster stems from this uncertainty. While we understand the broad strokes of how Redick wants to build the team, concrete details on the overall plan are lacking at this point.
As the season progresses, it will become clearer how Redick's vision translates on the court. Until then, Lakers fans can only speculate and hope for the best. Redick's success will not be determined solely by his strategies but also by how effectively the team assembles a supportive and talented roster around him.
Final Thoughts
Quotes like, "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," epitomize the Lakers' belief in Redick's long-term potential. His approach to involving key players, easing the workload on veterans, and focusing on the development of young talents will be crucial areas to watch.
The narrative of Redick's success will be written not just through tactical nous but also through adept roster management. As the Lakers move forward, the coming seasons will reveal whether this combination can propel them back into championship contention.