Prior to becoming head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, JJ Redick turned in a legendary college career, 15 seasons as an NBA player, and a prominent run in sports media. Among his many experiences was a tenure on the Mind the Game podcast, which he founded with former Lakers superstar LeBron James.
Though two years have passed, a conversation from Episode 8 of the podcast is worth revisiting. In it, Redick outlined exactly what he believes a contending roster needs: Seven or eight players who can star in their roles. Thankfully, Los Angeles has finally listened.
Redick played a variety of roles on winning teams during his NBA career, from spot-up shooter to playmaker and shot creator. He made the playoffs 13 times and saw first hand what great teams have and what those that simply pretend to be in their tier lack.
Redick addressed as much when discussing the 2024 Conference Finals, stating that depth is an unavoidable need for a championship-caliber team to realize its potential.
"It just feels like the depth of talent right now, particularly on really good teams, you can't concentrate. You need seven, eight guys that can really play in high-pressure moments and...have the toughness, the mental fortitude to compete at this level. And it feels like, across the board in the NBA, we're getting more and more of these guys that are just f***ing good players, man."
James added the pivotal note that Redick agreed with: "They're starring in their roles." After two years of top-heavy rotations, Redick finally has supporting players who can star in their roles.
JJ Redick in 2024: Contenders need 7-8 guys who can star in their roles
Nothing has changed since 2024. If it has, it's simply that depth is even more important due to shooting and pace being even more powerfully complemented by the presence of bigs who are encouraged to operate inside again and influence the game without necessarily relying on the three-ball.
Unfortunately, the Lakers failed to keep the pace, as they consistently relied on the buyout market and veteran minimum contracts to fill out their rotation.
There was certainly star power, with LeBron James teaming with either Anthony Davis or Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves rising to a borderline star-caliber level. There were even quality role players such as Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, and Marcus Smart to help round things into form.
Unfortunately, the depth beyond the top five or six players on the roster was painfully thin—and even the supporting cast was played outside of their comfort zone by pure necessity.
Redick's Lakers haven't had players who fit the roles they need to play
Hachimura and Smart were tasked with being the defensive aces in the rotation in 2025-26, with Doncic, James, and Reaves all having known flaws on that end of the floor. Deandre Ayton was asked to be the interior anchor who helped bind it all together.
The problem was that Hachimura was more of a team defender being asked to meet top-tier scorers at the point of attack, Smart was an inefficient shooter in a 3-and-D role, and Ayton wasn't an ideal pick-and-roll option on offense nor a particularly great rim protector on defense.
2024-25 was no different, as the Lakers failed to get Davis the center support he requested and had a painfully thin rotation. Injuries played a part, but Rob Pelinka handing long-term eight-figure deals to Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent was risky and prohibitive from the start.
Thankfully, the Lakers have been deliberate in their efforts to get Redick the depth he's always known he needs—and they've done so with specific roles in mind.
Lakers' new role players actually fit the jobs they're being assigned
Ayton is out and proven rim protector, screener, and rebounder Walker Kessler is in. Smart moved on and Los Angeles prioritized a younger player who also thrives on defense and actually excels as a catch-and-shoot specialist in Quentin Grimes.
Furthermore, Hachimura signed with the LA Clippers and the Lakers replaced him with on-ball defensive specialists in Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams—both of whom are on low-risk one-year contracts.
Los Angeles has also addressed the glaring lack of developable talent by drafting Cameron Carr and seemingly committing to an elevated role for 2025 second-round pick Adou Thiero. It's even found ball-handling depth with Collin Sexton and frontcourt shot creation with Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Games still need to be played, but at least on paper, Redick finally has the depth he's known he's needed since before he took the Lakers job.
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