This year, we find out exactly who JJ Redick is as a coach because he has the roster, the stars, and no excuse not to compete at the highest level.
Between Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and a deeper supporting cast, Redick is walking into a dream offensive situation. The real question is whether he can build a defense strong enough to make the Lakers a real title threat.
Offensively, it is all there. Doncic, a few years ago, led the most efficient offense in NBA history while he was on the Dallas Mavericks. Now he has teamed up with James, who is still one of the smartest creators in the game.
Throw in Austin Reaves, a motivated Deandre Ayton, and floor-spacers around them, and Redick has enough to build a top-five offense. Maybe even better.
Redick wants a Celtics-style identity now he has to build it
That is not where the pressure lies, though. As Jovan Buha noted on Buha’s Block, Redick’s ideal team looks like the 2024 Boston Celtics. Players who can switch, shoot, and defend multiple positions.
The Lakers started leaning that way after the Doncic trade, but it was not always consistent. Now, Redick needs to make that identity stick. And that starts with the defense.
They do not need to be elite. Buha said if they can just get to league average on defense, the offense should be good enough to carry them deep. That sounds simple, but for a coach with only one year of NBA experience under his belt, building defensive buy-in from stars and role players is a real challenge.
Marcus Smart helps. So does a healthier and fitter Doncic. Even Jake LaRavia has some upside. Ayton might be the swing piece here. He has shown he can be a valuable big man in the right situation (just look at Phoenix’s 2021 Finals run), and he has every reason to lock in this year.
Redick’s job is to take all those pieces and give them structure, accountability, and a style that fits. He needs more intentionality, better switching principles, smarter rotations, and most importantly, belief. If the Lakers buy in early, they will not just be good; they can be a serious problem.
Hopefully, in year two, Lakers fans find out if Redick’s basketball mind translates from a podcast to a locker room. He has the keys. He has the talent. Now he has to prove he can actually drive the thing.