JJ Redick has told everyone over and over that his biggest responsibility from here will be figuring out which nine players will give the Los Angeles Lakers a fighting chance in the NBA Playoffs after the injuries to their two main stars. A bunch of those spots should be easy to fill. A couple of them may require the second-year coach to embrace a youth movement he has ignored for most of the year.
Redick said after the recent loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder: "We've got to find nine guys that are all in on us fighting and willing to go out on whatever metaphor you want to use."
If the Lakers can be afforded good health outside of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves being out for the first round, the starting five should be fairly straightforward. Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura. and Deandre Ayton.
Perhaps an argument can be made to get Luke Kennard in there for spacing and a newfound touch for playmaking. Maybe there is even some thought given to whether Jaxson Hayes works better as a consistent starter at center. Either way, the top-seven in the rotation are mostly identifiable. The last two spots should be where the young guys come in.
JJ Redick must look to his youth to answer his biggest Lakers problem
There are veterans who deserve consideration for those final two spots. However, after the latest incident with Jarred Vanderbilt, his opportunity may have come and gone. Maxi Kleber would the real name to consider for strong defense and veteran savvy.
The upside with giving those last two spots to Adou Thiero and Bronny James is just undeniably higher.
Thiero is still raw in many ways, but his athleticism absolutely explodes off the television screen. He's already made a strong impression in a short time down the stretch after the Lakers brought him on following all the injuries.
The majority of Thiero's season has been spent in the G League after his own ailments slowed down the early-season plans that Redick had for him. With the wind of opportunity there now, how many better options are really still ahead of him? Certainly not enough to keep him out of the top-nine.
Added guard play off the bench will also be needed. Redick has shown a willingness to feature Bronny with Marcus Smart out. Now is now the time to back off that approach.
James, much like Thiero, has spent a ton of time in the G League. That is where the majority of his impact has been. His play with South Bay has helped him build confidence. The added NBA-level minutes can let that blossom further.
Both of those players will certainly satisfy the base level of what Redick is looking for. James and Thiero will both fight and play hard. They also bring the added bonus of immediately boosting the team's athleticism.
Redick has leaned on the more proven commodities in his rotations all season. With the goals in front of him changing so suddenly right before the postseason, now is the time to allow for innovation.