The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the most confusing teams in the NBA during the 2023-24 season. What appeared to be an obvious strength oftentimes ended up being an unmistakable weakness, with no more shining an example than three-point shooting.
LeBron James set a new career-best mark in three-point field goal percentage, D'Angelo Russell set the franchise record for threes made in a single season, and the Lakers ranked in the bottom three of the NBA in three-point field goals attempted.
If you're confused, fret not—so were the Lakers.
The unfortunate reality in 2023-24 was that Los Angeles was equally as reluctant to embrace its strength as opposing defenses were unable to defend it. First-year head coach JJ Redick plans to address that reality head-on, and his recent comments have caused quite a commotion.
In a post-game press conference following the Lakers' recent preseason encounter with the Phoenix Suns, Redick turned heads by stating that he wants his team to shoot as many as 50 three-point field goals per game.
JJ Redick discussed his strategy for the final offensive possession, shared his insights on the starting five's first-half performance, and gave his thoughts on the moments when Bronny and LeBron played together on the court. pic.twitter.com/M5cDK18KDl
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 7, 2024
Redick later clarified that he was being sarcastic, clarifying that he doesn't actually expect Los Angeles to attempt 50 threes per game.
JJ Redick clarifies that he was being sarcastic when he said he wants the Lakers taking 50 3s per game. He said the goal is to take five to six more per game compared to last season.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 8, 2024
Whether or not the Lakers actually attempt 50 per outing, it's a promising sign that Redick would rather embrace than deny one of the team's greatest strengths.
JJ Redick wants Lakers to embrace a strength. Why is everyone so mad?
If the Lakers attempt five more three-point field goals per game in 2024-25 than they did in 2023-24, as Redick stated, then they'd be at 36.5 per game. A season ago, that would've tied Los Angeles with the Utah Jazz for No. 10 in the NBA.
It also would've made the Lakers a significantly better team—which is exactly why Redick seems to have the goal of at least 36.5 attempts per game in mind.
In 2023-24, the Lakers ranked No. 8 in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage. Six of the seven teams ahead of them made the playoffs, with the only exception being the Golden State Warriors—which went 46-36 and competed in the Play-In Tournament.
The only teams that were a full percentage point higher than the Lakers in three-point field goal percentage were the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves—all of which won at least 56 games.
Despite how clearly the picture was painted of how close to elite the Lakers were, they ranked No. 28 in the NBA in three-point field goals attempted. It was one of the most baffling decisions that Los Angeles made in terms of how it orchestrated its offense.
Other postseason-caliber teams shot with limited frequency, but Los Angeles was the only team in the NBA that averaged fewer than 31.0 three-point field goal attempts per 100 possessions.
It would be one thing if the Lakers rolled out a team flush with non-shooters who were only efficient with limited attempts. Rui Hachimura, James, and Russell all shot 41.0 percent from beyond the arc, however, while Taurean Prince buried 39.6 percent of his attempts and Austin Reaves checked in at 36.7 percent.
The Lakers obviously won't attempt 50 three-point field goals per game, but the response to Redick's comments shouldn't be shock over a number—it should be relief that he's willing to accept a strength.