The Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr's post-playing career has mostly been spent in the broadcast booth. However, despite lacking experience as a head or assistant coach, he became the top candidate in a coaching cycle and was offered two jobs. The Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks both sought him out, but Kerr ultimately chose the Warriors, a decision that has since paid off. Derek Fisher, who took the Knicks job, lasted less than two years, further illustrating how a coach's success is often tethered to the quality of the roster they inherit.
As much importance as we assign to coaching hires, they don't matter much if the team can't get the roster right. This principle applies to J.J. Redick's recent hire by the Los Angeles Lakers. Redick's success in Los Angeles will hinge significantly on the players that General Manager Rob Pelinka and his front office can assemble. Key to this endeavor will be the development of young talents like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie. This developmental focus was highlighted 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 in late-game situations. One of his major goals is to alleviate LeBron James' ball-handling duties to keep him fresh for the playoffs. The fit of a player like Trae Young with the Lakers makes sense based on several of these criteria, offering additional options for handling the ball and creating plays.
Redick’s Long-term Potential
Redick's hiring suggests 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 over decades. 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. Someone like Malcolm Brogdon could probably be acquired for less than a player like Dejounte Murray, offering a potential avenue for roster improvement. Collin Sexton was reportedly a target for the Lakers at the trade deadline, further indicating their interest in bolstering their backcourt.
The wing market is typically less forgiving and more challenging to navigate. Ball-handling tends to be a relatively available and 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 acquire 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.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
LeBron James isn't a lock to return. 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. In the end, the true measure of Redick's tenure will be how effectively the Lakers can blend coaching prowess with roster construction to build a sustainable, winning culture.
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.”