Understanding the Importance of Roster Construction
Steve Kerr spent most of his post-playing career in the broadcast booth before being thrust into the coaching spotlight. Despite having no 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. While Derek Fisher eventually took the Knicks job and lasted less than two years, Kerr's success underscores a crucial point: as much importance as we assign to coaching hires, a coach's impact can be limited if the team fails to get the roster right.
JJ Redick's recent appointment as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers faces a similar litmus test. His success in Los Angeles will hinge heavily on the types of players Lakers' General Manager Rob Pelinka and the front office can assemble. A primary focus will be on the development of young talents like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie, a priority even noted during the Lakers' pursuit of other coaching candidates like Dan Hurley.
Adjusting Offensive Strategies
Another key aspect of Redick's approach is his offensive strategy. He plans to involve Anthony Davis more, specifically in late-game situations, with a goal of alleviating LeBron James' ball-handling responsibilities to keep him fresh for the playoffs. This move aligns well with the potential addition of Trae Young, who fits seamlessly within these criteria.
Redick’s Long-Term Potential
The Lakers evidently view Redick as a long-term investment, confident that he can emulate the success of culture-setters like Erik Spoelstra or Steve Kerr, who have grown with their respective franchises for over a decade. With foundational pieces like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers have a solid starting point. However, during their 2020 championship run, the absence of a third star was a limiting factor.
The front office is exploring several options to complement their current roster. Malcolm Brogdon, for instance, could likely be acquired for less than Dejounte Murray, while Collin Sexton was reportedly a target at the trade deadline. The wing market, however, poses a significant challenge due to its less forgiving nature and higher difficulty in navigation. Wings are often nurtured within an organization, as most championship teams tend to cultivate their own talent in this area.
Challenges in Acquiring Talent
Ball-handling skills tend to be relatively accessible and affordable in the market. The Lakers, for instance, have spent significant assets on players like Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, and D'Angelo Russell in recent years. Conversely, wings are harder to acquire and are often developed internally. Given this, the Lakers appear ready to bet on Redick's developmental capability to groom young talent into reliable wings.
The Uncertain Future of LeBron James
Adding to the complexity is the uncertain future of LeBron James. His return isn't guaranteed, and until his plans are clear, the Lakers must remain flexible about life after him. This uncertainty complicates projecting the Lakers' future roster, making it difficult to pin down the broader strokes of Redick's long-term vision.
As the season progresses, the translation of Redick's vision onto the court will become more evident. For now, Lakers fans can only speculate and hope for the best. The success of Redick’s tenure won’t be determined simply by his strategic adjustments or long-term planning but will equally depend on the front office's ability to assemble a supportive and talented roster around him.
Quotes
As cited, "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 statement epitomizes the Lakers' belief in Redick's potential, but only time will reveal how well this confidence translates into on-court success.