Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick made some waves on September 24 when he told reporters, right after LeBron James left for the Philadelphia 76ers, that it was “the first time in my three years here that I feel like the pieces actually fit together.” Yeah, you read that right. Post-LeBron, Redick is out here talking about how the roster finally clicks, and that immediately sparked talk about whether it was shade thrown at The King himself.
Redick’s Roster Vision: It’s All About Depth
Redick recently clarified those comments to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, trying to pump the brakes on any perceived digs at LeBron. According to Amick, Redick explained that when he said the “pieces fit,” it was all about depth. He is stoked on having “multiple ballhandlers besides Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves,” plus “more shooting, more volume shooting,” and an “elite rim protector.” It is the whole combo, he said.
He did not stop there, though. Redick also believes big in their “great wing defenders,” praising their defensive chops and their ability to hit “open 3s.” This is a coach looking at the full picture, not just one superstar. He also cautioned that you cannot “become a championship team” in September; you gotta “become one throughout the season.” Smart. He knows the journey is the grind.
The Roster Flip That Set The Stage
So, what exactly changed to make Redick feel this way? The Lakers completely blew up their roster this summer. They said goodbye to Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard , alongside LeBron James, of course. In came a whole new crew: Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney, and Matisse Thybulle.
Amick pointed out that Sexton and Grimes are stepping up as those secondary ballhandlers behind Reaves and Dončić. Kessler is the guy tasked with bringing that rim protection Redick wants, while Williams and Thybulle are the new wing defense specialists. This isn’t just talk, either. The Lakers actually showed some of that volume shooting Redick mentioned in their October 5 preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings. Even with some starters resting and Dončić only playing 16 minutes, the squad still shot a sizzling 45 percent from deep on 44 attempts. That is a statement, even in preseason.
What’s Next For The Re-Shaped Lakers
Now, Redick’s got the big job of figuring out who will be starting alongside Reaves, Dončić, and Kessler. That decision is coming up fast with the regular season opener just around the corner, October 21, against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Can this new, deeper roster gel into a contender? The early returns on the shooting are promising, but the real test starts when the games actually count. It is going to be a fascinating season watching if these “fitting pieces” can truly make a championship run without The King.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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