For all of the ups and downs that the 2024-25 season has provided, the Los Angeles Lakers are trending in a positive direction. Los Angeles is on pace to at least qualify for the Play-In Tournament, has shifted toward building around Anthony Davis, and is developing an intriguing group of players.
If the Lakers are going to go from trending in a positive direction to arriving on schedule, however, head coach JJ Redick knows what they'll need.
Los Angeles has found an intriguing level of success during the first half of the 2024-25 regular season. Much of it has been in spite of a flaw that threatens to derail their momentum, however, and Redick began to acknowledge as much in a recent interview.
Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Redick spoke about his intention to utilize more two-big sets that enable Anthony Davis to play alongside a center.
JJ Redick says that the Lakers’ addition of the 6-10, 270-pound center Trey Jemison on a two-way contract coincides with his and his coaching staff’s interest in experimenting with more two-big lineups with Anthony Davis + another 5 on the floor pic.twitter.com/Bdtldpwz5m
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 16, 2025
Considering Davis has requested help at center during each of the past two seasons, it's safe to assume this news will sit well with him—if Rob Pelinka follows through.
JJ Redick wants to play Anthony Davis with a 5, but will Rob Pelinka help?
Los Angeles has been at the heart of trade rumors throughout the 2024-25 regular season. The most common position the Lakers have been expected to upgrade at is center, due in no small part to Davis' well-documented desire for a high-level teammate at the 5-spot.
Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas is the most commonly mentioned name, with the roots of Los Angeles' interest taking hold during the 2024 period of free agency.
With mere weeks remaining until the 2025 NBA trade deadline, however, the Lakers are running out of time to find an upgrade. Asking prices will only increase the longer they wait, as leverage shifts in the favor of the seller when they know teams are desperate.
It's the unfortunate reality of what has thus far been an eventful but potentially insufficient display from the Lakers' front office.
The decision to trade for Dorian Finney-Smith was equal parts essential and well-scouted. Finney-Smith has provided instant value as a defender, three-point shooter, and offensive rebounder for a team in need of help in all three areas.
Unfortunately, the lack of ideal depth at center has the Lakers ranked No. 23 in defensive rebounding percentage, No. 25 in second-chance points allowed, and No. 28 in opponent points in the paint.
Those areas of objective weakness likely contribute to Redick's interest in exploring two-big lineups. Davis plays a multifaceted role on defense, including the considerable amount of time he spends defending the perimeter, which calls for the need for a reliable presence inside.
It's up to Pelinka to orchestrate what's quickly shaping up to be a last-minute trade for a player who can help address the Lakers' greatest flaws.