For the first time since May, there is going to be Los Angeles Lakers basketball on a screen near you. Granted, it is only the preseason. However, there is still room for celebration, and more importantly, intrigue.
If there is anything that is synonymous with the preseason, it would be overreactions. Everyone has been guilty of it at some point, present company included. However, that does not mean these basketball games bring nothing to offer in terms of previewing the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
With that said, let me put a few storylines on the radar for you ahead of the Lakers' first preseason contest against the Sacramento Kings.
1 — What do JJ Redick's new offensive and defensive schemes look like?
Given just how much change the Lakers went through over the summer, the way basketball is played by JJ Redick's team is bound to be different. Watching for the new offensive and defensive principles that Redick tries to install will be arguably the biggest point of fascination throughout the preseason.
The Lakers coach wanted dribble, pass, shoot players. How does that translate to the new offense in Los Angeles? Redick also revealed a desire to stagger Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves during the upcoming regular season. How does he intend to position his other guards to run the offense?
On the defensive end, Redick now has Walker Kessler to build his unit around. How do the Lakers adjust to having a real anchor down low? Perhaps just as importantly, what does the team do when Kessler sits? Do they look dramatically different?
All of these schematic evolutions are due to be previewed in the preseason. That should be key to any Lakers viewing experience before the wins and losses start to count.
2 — Who gets an early edge in the Lakers wing competition?
On-court production and the long-term value of it is tough to gauge in the preseason. Even so, it would not be wise to totally ignore what the Lakers wings are doing against the Kings.
It should go beyond just box-score watching. When it comes to assessing the likes of Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, and others in that competition, there are better things to keep an eye on. Mainly, it should be about monitoring who plays best in minutes with the Lakers stars.
That will offer early clues as to who could separate themselves in the starter competition. If there are players who immediately display chemistry with either Doncic and Reaves, that should not be dismissed. Those guys could set a foundation to build on.
3 — How controlled is Adou Thiero on the floor?
Adou Thiero is one of the most fascinating players on the Lakers roster. His absurd athleticism warrants that distinction. The key for him, and the high-flying forward has said this on multiple occasions, is harnessing those athletic gifts properly.
A lot of what Lakers fans have gotten to see from Thiero in extended stretches has been with the G League or Summer League squads. His reps with the main roster have been minimal. What do his minutes look like beside guys who are actually going to be getting serious playing time for Los Angeles?
If Thiero manages to be more in control of his athleticism, and turns that into positive impact on the floor, that could indicate a readiness to be a contributor for the Lakers when the real games start. It would be a big step in the right direction after a rookie season that was mostly forgettable.
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