The Lakers head coach box has been checked – again.
JJ Redick was officially introduced Monday, as one of the strangest coaching searches you’ve ever seen ended with the outcome so many initially predicted. That’s seven coaches in 13 years since Phil Jackson’s departure in 2011 – eight if you count Bernie Bickerstaff’s five games in an interim role – and a lot of pressure on Redick after he decided to make his first coaching position one of the hottest positions in all of sports.
But heading into Wednesday’s NBA draft, when the Lakers will finally be able to petition the league for significant roster upgrades thanks to the three first-round picks at their disposal, the truth of their situation is that the latest change of coach is the least. of their problems. They need more top-tier talent, and they need it fast if they want to keep LeBron James. And Anthony Davis is increasingly frustrated by this uncertain future for the Lakers.
James has the leverage his upcoming free agency gives him, as he has until Saturday to decide whether to pick up his $51.4 million player option or opt out and sign a new deal (with the Lakers or elsewhere). Davis, meanwhile, has the organizational capital that comes with being a 31-year-old nine-time All-Star for the 2027-28 season. And if the franchise cornerstones have their way, according to league sources, the Lakers would prove their desire to win this week by going all-in for another elite player.
Starting Wednesday, the Lakers will be able to trade up to three first-round picks to players of their choice in a trade. But are they willing to do so, especially when it comes to the prospect of trading a player like Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura, who have long become favorites within Lakers ownership and front office? Therein lies the question that will likely dictate the mood going forward.
James’ impending free agency currently has him front and center in the Lakers spotlight, and for good reason. League sources say the 39-year-old has given the Lakers no indication of what he will do, even though the widespread expectation around the league is that he will return to his player option or sign a new agreement. He hasn’t been involved in the coaching search — let alone it involved his podcast partner — and has made it clear he’s in wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Lakers’ offseason activities and role that they could play in his decision. If he opts out, as many expect, don’t be surprised if he takes his time in free agency from there.
As Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has always said about this partnership, James’ happiness is the key to everything. Yet while some speculated that James might be content to live out his final years with the Lakers, enjoying all the perks of living in Los Angeles while continuing to leave his incredible mark in the league’s history books, League sources say he desperately wants to win at the highest level. levels again. Additionally, James’ unprecedented play to this point means he remains open to the prospect of playing two or even three more seasons before retiring.
As for the Bronny James factor, league sources say LeBron’s plans won’t be affected by his son’s arrival in this week’s draft. Still, it’s worth noting that the former USC guard has only worked out for the Lakers (who have No. 17 and No. 55) and Phoenix (who have No. 22). Athleticism Draft expert Sam Vecenie calls for Bronny to go to Lakers with the 55th pick in his last simulation.
But just as important is Davis’ take on the Lakers’ offseason strategy, if not, more. This is one that’s right in the middle of its prime and represents the Lakers’ best chance for a rivalry at the end of this decade. And given the lesson learned in early May, when league sources say the Lakers’ concern over how Davis viewed then-coach Darvin Ham played a role in their choice to make the change, he It is clear that his point of view carries significant weight.
To hear Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka assess the Lakers landscape during Redick’s introductory press conference Monday was to get a glimpse of the internal dynamics at play here. He made an early reference to the Lakers’ desire to keep their payroll below the “second apron,” the highly restrictive luxury tax region that is part of the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement. Pelinka mentioned the need to “lean heavily into that player development piece,” and Redick even highlighted the Lakers’ G League team, which will play a central role in their plan.
“If these two players are at the heart of what you’re building, we like our chances,” Pelinka said. “And, of course, we will continue to have conversations as we approach free agency here, in the next week, about how we want to modify or change – make changes to the roster – to put (the Lakers ) in a competitive position built around these two players.
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Asked by Athleticism Regarding the possibility of using the first three rounds to make a move this week, Pelinka downplayed that possibility.
“In this (CBA) system…some trades are more difficult, especially if you have a second apron team (trading with) a first apron team,” Pelinka said. “There is a chance we will be in the first apron. Jobs are less common than before. So are we going to look for jobs that help us become a better team? Absolutely. Do these exchanges have the same probability as under the old system? No, it’s a different system. So we need to be careful and thoughtful about this.
“If the perfect trade comes along and we can use picks to be successful and win a championship, yes, we will. Will this business be there? I don’t know. It is more difficult in this system to find perfect jobs.
Redick, in turn, emphasized the importance of depth while making it clear that adding another star was not their primary goal.
“If you look at the NBA right now, the group matters more than ever,” he said. “We certainly need the stars, but the group matters more than ever. You need six, seven, eight guys, who can play some minutes in the playoffs. The Boston Celtics, the Dallas Mavericks, the Pacers, the Timberwolves. It wasn’t about the individual. It was about the group.
As the posts went, they didn’t exactly give the impression that a significant roster upgrade was going to happen any time soon – whether it was Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray, Zach Chicago’s LaVine, Portland’s Jerami Grant, Charlotte’s Miles Bridges (who will be a free agent) or someone else of that ilk. Mitchell has long been considered a top target for the Lakers, but, according to Athleticism‘s Shams Charania, the Cavaliers are optimistic that he will soon sign a $209 million extension. Murray, meanwhile, was a player the Lakers could have had at the February trade deadline if they had been willing to include Reaves in the deal. He’s also a possibility now, but league sources say the Lakers’ stance on Reaves remains the same.
If that’s the direction they’re headed — rolling with this roster after a 47-35 record last season and a fall to Denver in the first round — then it will be very interesting to see what comes next. Does James still sign as planned, or is there a chance he explores options elsewhere for the twilight of his storied career? And what about Davis, whose appetite for the title also determines his long-term decisions?
As for Redick, who will be the hire of the century if he can lead this group to the organization’s 18th title, he shared a different perspective when asked about the championship expectations that almost always accompany this position.
“Yeah, I think (the expectations are) reasonable,” Redick said. “I don’t consider the current roster to be that far from a championship-caliber team.”
(Top photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)