JJ Redick checking crucial box as he prepares for first season as Lakers coach

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is preparing for his first foray into the leadership realm of the NBA. It's an intimidating way to begin a coaching career, but Redick has made it clear that he wants the challenge and pressure that comes with leading the Lakers.

It's far too early to label the hire a success or failure, but Redick has already checked a box that implies his time in Los Angeles could prove fruitful.

Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka have spoken openly about their belief that the Lakers have a strong young core. The players they've named in that regard are Max Christie, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Austin Reaves.

In a recent interview with Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Christie revealed that he's already begun working with Redick to prepare for the 2024-25 season.

"We really both got a taste of it in Vegas when we were both there and I was working out a lot. He was always present, he was always running the drills and putting me in situations that he wants me to be in during the season, too."

It's just the first step, but the fact that Redick is taking a proactive approach to facilitating the growth of the young cornerstones of the franchise is a promising sign.

JJ Redick is already mentoring Max Christie, younger Lakers players

Christie is the latest in a growing list of up-and-coming Lakers players to mention that Redick has already been in touch with them. First-round draft pick Dalton Knecht, for instance, recently mentioned that the first-year head coach played an active role during Summer League.

That should be par for the course with NBA head coaches, but the fact that Redick was hired just over a month ago and is already taking a hands-on approach to player development is a promising sign.

With the addition of Knecht, the Lakers are suddenly positioned to develop a core of young talent for the first time during the Anthony Davis era. That's by no means Davis' fault, but instead the result of the sheer number of talented players and draft picks that were given up to acquire him.

With the dust finally settling on the Davis trade, and the Lakers preparing to move forward with a healthy collection of assets, Redick is looking like the ideal coach for the job of building for the future.

Los Angeles made a firm commitment in that regard by re-signing Christie to a four-year, $32 million contract. It also selected Knecht in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, marking the first time that the Lakers have kept their first-round selections in consecutive years since 2018.

Los Angeles also selected Bronny James in the second round and signed Blake Hinson and Armel Traoré to two-way contracts.

Throw in the return of Summer League star Colin Castleton and Los Angeles is clearly invested in a sustainable future. Davis and LeBron James are still the franchise players, but the plan appears to be to surround them with players who are either in or approaching their respective primes.

After years of star-chasing and sacrificing assets for veterans on expiring contracts, Redick and the Lakers are finally making a real commitment to internal development.