The 2025-26 season has been a lot of things for the Los Angeles Lakers. Rollercoaster might be the most fitting description.
In my many years of watching the NBA, I don't know if I've seen a team with contention hopes go through as many identity and rotation changes as this Lakers team has. But it appears now, with 10 games to go in LA's season, the group has finally found its footing.
Since the All-Star break, the Lakers are 13-5 and are 9-1 in their last 10 games. A huge reason for this run has obviously been Luka Doncic, who has scored 30 or more points in his last 10 games. But what may actually be the biggest reason is the starting lineup change JJ Redick made.
The second-year head coach made a risky call to roll with three guards in Luka, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart, while having Deandre Ayton and LeBron play in the front court. This decision was a questionable one at first, as the Lakers were going to be undersized in most matchups, and on paper, this five isn't great defensively.
However, the original reaction is the complete opposite of reality because this lineup has been incredible.
JJ Redick's unorthodox approach is paying off for the Lakers
All season, there were rumors and reports that the Lakers were searching for a point-of-attack defender or a 3-and-D wing to slot in between Reaves and Luka. Who would've thought that this team had that player on their roster the entire time in Smart?
Since taking on this role, Smart has flourished and is playing the best defense of his post-Boston career.
As a long-time follower of Smart, the key to unlocking him defensively comes down to challenging him. He's always been the type of defender who has tools on that end, but his competitive edge and toughness are what make him great on that end.
By having him guarding opposing teams' best wings and players much taller than him as a 6-foot-3 guard, he is being challenged and forced to compete extremely hard to have a chance to get a stop. This has maximized everyone else in the starting five defensively.
Smart taking on these challenges makes life easier for Luka and LeBron on that end. Also, by having him string together stops on the perimeter, it's limited the amount of work Ayton needs to do as a rim protector.
A notable stat that highlights Smart’s impact since JJ Redick made this lineup change is that he leads the team in plus-minus since the All-Star break, and it's not close. Smart is a +154 since the break, and the second closest on that list is Luka as a +137.
When Redick originally decided to go with a three-guard lineup, many were left puzzled. The gamble has helped unlock the Lakers' full potential, and the rest of the league is getting nervous about what that could mean come playoff time.