3 Lakers who benefit most from JJ Redick’s rationally radical offensive system

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently in the process of unlearning tendencies that can best be classified as self-destructive. Los Angeles was often guilty of being its own worst enemy in 2023-24, with no greater example than its approach to three-point shooting.

Thankfully, new Lakers head coach JJ Redick has directly addressed one of the Lakers' self-inflicted wounds and intends to heal it through a radical yet logical overhaul.

Redick recently made waves when he stated that he wants the Lakers to shoot 50 three-point field goals per game. It was an exaggeration, of course, but that shocking statement wasn't quite as outrageous as some have made it out to be.

In 2023-24, the Lakers actually ranked No. 8 in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage—yet finished 28th in attempts from beyond the arc.

Entering the 2024-25 season, the initiative is clear: Los Angeles will shoot more threes and stop running from one of its primary strengths. It's re-signed and drafted key players who will help in that regard, and made the conscious decision to opt against trading a maligned former All-Star.

In each of those scenarios, the Lakers have embraced a strategy under Redick that should enable three crucial players to thrive in 2024-25.

1. Max Christie

A case can be made that no player stands to benefit more from the arrival of JJ Redick than Max Christie. The third-year shooting guard struggled to acquire consistent playing time during his first two seasons with the Lakers, as Darvin Ham simply seemed to prioritize anyone else.

After signing a four-year, $32 million contract with the Lakers earlier this summer, however, Christie is primed to break out in 2024-25—and Redick's system should place the spotlight on his talent.

Christie looked the part of a high-level three-point shooter during his first two seasons with the Lakers. He shot 41.9 percent from beyond the arc as a rookie and 35.6 percent during his second season, including a mark of 40.7 percent during Los Angeles' wins.

As the Lakers look to improve upon their bottom-tier ranking in three-point field goal attempts and perimeter defense, Christie should have significantly more opportunities to excel.

Christie is a well-rounded two-way player who provides energy on defense and quality versatility on offense. He's not necessarily a shot creator at this stage of the game, but he can bury open looks and attack closeouts—and, in 2024-25, should be a part of the initiative to corner crash more often.

Throw in the fact that Christie knocked down 39.4 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes in 2023-24, and he should thrive in a motion offense that values the three-ball.

2. Dalton Knecht

Dalton Knecht is an unproven commodity as far as how his game will translate to the NBA is concerned. Redick has heralded the incoming rookie as ranking in the top one percent of shooters from a pure skill perspective, however, which makes the Lakers' preferred style of play all the more compelling.

Knecht will go through his ups and downs, as every rookie does, but he seems to have landed with the perfect team and coach given his skill set and approach to the game.

Knecht finished the 2023-24 college basketball season with averages of 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.6 three-point field goals made. He ranked No. 1 in the SEC and No. 8 in the country in scoring, and was No. 3 in the SEC in three-point field goals made per game.

Knecht was a true three-level scorer at the collegiate level, with his 39.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc keeping opposing defenders in a perpetual state of uncertainty.

Under Redick, Knecht should have every opportunity to thrive as the team's go-to off-ball shooting threat. He should also thrive on the second unit as perhaps the most well-rounded scoring threat available to the Lakers after the players in the starting five.

With the skill set to thrive in both an off-ball and on-ball role, Knecht should begin to tap into his significant upside under a head coach who plans to utilize him in both manners.

3. D'Angelo Russell

The most ostracized player on the Lakers, D'Angelo Russell should benefit more than anyone else from Redick's approach to three-point shooting. The best shooter on the roster, Russell is already coming off of a record-setting campaign in 2023-24.

With an even brighter green light to do what he does best, Russell could put forth an All-Star level season in the face of adversity.

In 2023-24, Russell set the franchise record for three-point field goals made in a single season with 226—shattering the previous mark of 183, set by Nick Van Exel in 1994-95. He did so while shooting 41.5 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 18.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.0 three-balls made per game.

In the process, Russell joined Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and Kyle Lowry as the only players in NBA history to average at least 18.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.0 three-point field goals made on 40.0 percent shooting or better from distance.

In 2024-25, a system that's more welcoming of the three-point shot should enable Russell to take his game to another level. It's also worth noting that Redick stated that he wants to help his point guard piece together a career year—a captivating thought considering Russell has already been an All-Star.

Overly criticized and under-appreciated, Russell should thrive in a system that accentuates a strength that was too often undervalued in 2023-24.