3 Players JJ Redick and the Lakers need to find minutes for in 2024-25

The Los Angeles Lakers have set a starting lineup for the 2024-25 season that could help the team return to its contending ways. All-NBA mainstays Anthony Davis and LeBron James will be flanked by All-Star point guard D'Angelo Russell and 26-year-old wings Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves.

It's a proven five-man lineup that helped Los Angeles go 22-10 and rank in the top five in the NBA in offensive rating after February 3.

The question facing first-year head coach JJ Redick, however, is how he plans to supplement that talent. The second unit was an unfortunate weakness for Los Angeles in 2023-24, and the options for improvement land somewhere between better luck with injuries and developing up-and-coming players.

Max Christie, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent appear to be locks for roles as reserves, but as the Lakers weigh their options beyond them, question marks understandably arise.

Redick plans to run a nine-player rotation, meaning eight places have already been filled. Many have questioned who will occupy the ninth and final spot, but beyond a set rotation is the need to find ways to incorporate the development of several key contributors.

As Redick explores his options and tinkers with his rotation, the following three players must be provided with enough opportunities to establish their long-term value to the team.

Colin Castleton

The backup center position will likely be occupied by Jaxson Hayes or a healthy Christian Wood. There's also the possibility that late offseason acquisition Christian Koloko could work his way up from the G League and into Redick's rotation.

Colin Castleton was the breakout star at the 2024 Summer League, however, and his success warrants the opportunity to see how his game translates to the NBA.

Castleton is physically imposing, standing at 6'10" and 250 pounds with a 7'4" wingspan. It should thus come as no surprise that he averaged 3.0 blocks per game during his final collegiate season in 2022-23 and 1.6 per contest during his first season in the G League in 2023-24.

Castleton has yet to establish himself as a rim protector in the NBA, but the Lakers need depth at center and he has the defensive upside to excel in that role.

On the other end of the floor, Castleton is one of the most intriguing young players on the Lakers' G League roster. He's an excellent passer for his position, with the versatility to come out to the perimeter and find slashers and shooters alike.

Compounded by his prowess on the glass, including an average of 3.7 offensive rebounds per game during the 2023-24 G League season and Showcase, Castleton is a player who needs NBA minutes.

Jalen Hood-Schifino

The Lakers selected Jalen Hood-Schifino at No. 17 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, Hood-Schifino was omitted from the rotation, endured a back injury that ultimately required surgery, and was prematurely labeled a bust.

Hood-Schifino was excellent during his 15-game stint in the G League, however, and Redick must give the 21-year-old a chance to prove that he can emulate that success in the NBA.

Hood-Schifino is a compelling up-and-coming player with a versatile skill set and prototypical physical gifts. He stands at 6'5" and 215 pounds with a 6'10.25" wingspan and the athletic attributes to play above the rim and take on a dynamic role on defense.

In terms of what he brings to the table, Hood-Schifino matches his prototypical physical attributes with a versatile offensive skill set that enables him to thrive both with and without the ball.

Hood-Schifino averaged 22.0 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 three-point field goals made during his run in the G League. He shot 43.2 percent from beyond the arc, which seemingly displays an elite level of proficiency from beyond the arc.

G League numbers or not, Hood-Schifino is simply too talented to go another season without receiving the opportunity to earn a larger role in the NBA.

Dalton Knecht

The most likely player to secure the ninth spot in the rotation, Dalton Knecht has immense potential. He's a sharpshooting wing with three-level scoring ability, as well as one of the most athletic players to emerge from the 2024 NBA Draft.

Knecht will likely struggle in the areas that all rookies do, but allowing him to play through his mistakes will be essential to helping him one day realize his full potential.

Knecht enters the NBA as the reigning SEC Player of the Year and one of the most prolific scorers and shooters in his class. He averaged 21.7 points and 2.6 three-point field goals made per game in 2023-24, knocking down 39.7 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Redick has referred to Knecht as a player who ranks in the top one percent of shooters, which seems to reveal the minimum value that can be extracted from his potential.

Beyond his jumper, Knecht is a strong and athletic wing who comfortably plays above the rim and has the quickness to get to his spots. He ranked at or near the top of his class in almost every athletic test at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, has a solid handle, and is just as dangerous from midrange as he is from distance.

If the Lakers are serious about their player development program, then putting Knecht in a position to make and learn from his mistakes will be an essential move in 2024-25.