Lakers’ refusal to name full starting lineup is proving to be a stroke of genius

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made waves when he uniquely stated that only three spots in the starting lineup have been decided. Luka Doncic, Walker Kessler, and Austin Reaves have been locked into their roles, but the other two spots in the starting five remain open.

The result of Redick's rotational chess move has been the Lakers creating an all-out battle for minutes in training camp and an environment of healthy competition.

The results are proving that Redick's approach to the starting lineup was a stroke of genius. He entered training camp knowing who has the biggest contracts and names, yet left the competition open to everyone—including those on minimum contracts, the rookies, and signings on eight-figure salaries.

$60 million addition Quentin Grimes weighed in on the subject when reporters asked him if he knows who will start next to Doncic, Kessler, and Reaves. His take was illuminating.

For those who can't watch the video, Grimes said the following:

"I don't know, I guess you're going to find out [during the Lakers' regular season opener]. It's great competition, everybody wants competition. Everybody wants to compete for something, fight for something, earn something. Nothing's given, so I think it creates healthy competition within the team."

Only time will tell how players will handle either winning or losing their respective training camp battles, but Redick has created a winning environment with his risky approach to the starting five.

Lakers not knowing who's starting has created "healthy competition"

Typically, players who arrive at training camp on low-cost salaries are expected to play as members of the second unit. Along those same lines, teams that have to rely on minimum contracts or even rookies for starting-caliber minutes are in a rather difficult position. Los Angeles certainly seemed to qualify as such.

What Redick has managed to do, however, is make the most of a challenging situation, particularly with questions persisting over who should start at the 4.

Rather than lamenting the fact that there isn't a starting-caliber forward on the roster, Redick is challenging his players to prove otherwise. He isn't going with whom he perceives to be the best option on paper, but is letting the players decide for themselves with their play on the court.

Ziaire Williams previously spoke about the effect of such an environment, stating that the intensity with which the wings are playing has forced everyone else on the team to "pick it up a notch."

Lakers are making the most of a challenging situation

Williams is a great example of how Redick's approach to the starting lineup has benefited the Lakers. Williams is a former top-10 pick who hasn't quite lived up to expectatoins, but has showcased defensive potential and borderline efficiency as a three-point shooter at 34.1 percent or better over each of the past two seasons.

Williams is also 6'9" and 214 pounds with impressive athleticism and arguably has the highest ceiling of the options at forward. Redick simply isn't allowing that to stand on its own.

Redick could've simply prioritized Williams over the likes of Cameron Carr, Jake LaRavia, Adou Thiero, and Matisse Thybulle based on upside. Instead, he's challenging the newcomer to prove he can deliver on his potential by tasking him with earning a spot in the starting lineup before anything else can begin to manifest.

The same logic applies to the other players on that list, who have all been given a chance to play meaningful minutes in the preseason and show their own value.

Perhaps it will ultimately be Grimes and Williams who get the starting nods, as their preseason usage suggests could transpire. Regardless of who wins the competition for the last two spots, what's clear is that they'll have earned it by the time the regular season begins.

It's too soon to know what this roster is truly capable of, but Redick is doing everything in his power to ensure that he produces the best version of it.

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