The Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr spent the majority of his post-playing career in the broadcast booth before making a significant transition to coaching. Despite lacking experience as a head or assistant coach, Kerr became the top candidate during his hiring cycle and received job offers from both the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks. Ultimately, Derek Fisher took the Knicks job but lasted less than two years. This underscores the point that, as crucial as coaching hires are, they often can't make a significant impact if the team fails to get the roster construction right.
J.J. Redick's recent hiring by the Los Angeles Lakers brings this notion to the forefront. Redick's success in Los Angeles will largely depend on the personnel decisions made by Rob Pelinka and his front office staff. A pivotal aspect will be the development of young talents such as Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie. This developmental focus was emphasized even during the pursuit of other coaching candidates like Dan Hurley.
Offensive Strategy Adjustments
Redick plans to integrate Anthony Davis more into the offense, particularly in late-game situations. One of his primary goals is to reduce LeBron James' ball-handling duties to keep James fresh for the playoffs. Trae Young’s fit with the Lakers seems to align well with these criteria, making him a feasible target for the team.
Redick’s Long-term Potential
Redick's hiring signifies that the Lakers are thinking long-term. They are 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. However, the Lakers’ 2020 championship run highlighted a limitation—they didn’t have a third star, capping their potential ceiling. The Lakers might consider players like Malcolm Brogdon, who could potentially be acquired for less than someone like Dejounte Murray. Collin Sexton was also reportedly a target for the Lakers at the trade deadline.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
Acquiring solid talent, particularly in the wing position, presents a considerable challenge. While ball-handling tends to be relatively more available and less expensive, wings 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 skills in this area.
The Lakers have spent significant assets on players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell in recent years. Yet, the wing market remains unforgiving and challenging to navigate. Mastering this aspect of roster construction will be crucial for the Lakers’ success.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
Another factor adding complexity to Redick's tenure is the uncertain future of LeBron James. James isn't a lock to return, and until his future is secured, the Lakers have to remain flexible regarding life after him. This creates additional challenges in projecting the Lakers’ roster. While Redick’s vision for the team provides some insight, the details remain scarce, making it difficult to understand fully how his strategies will play out on the court.
As the season progresses, it will become clearer how Redick’s vision will translate into performance. Lakers fans can only speculate and hope for the best in the meantime. Success won't hinge solely on Redick's strategies; it will also depend on how well the front office 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.”