The Los Angeles Lakers may have a similar roster to what they rolled out in 2023-24, but significant changes are being made behind the scenes. In addition to parting ways with Darvin Ham and hiring JJ Redick to become the new head coach, Los Angeles seems to be overhauling its entire overarching strategy for team-building.
The latest shoe to drop on that front was a surprising one, and it quietly represents one of the most significant decisions of the offseason thus far.
In addition to hiring Redick, the Lakers have revamped their coaching staff with an eye on the future. Redick has made it clear that the internal development of up-and-coming players is one of his top priorities moving forward, and a recent decision proves how hands-on he intends to be in that regard.
According to the official South Bay Lakers account on X, the organization has parted ways with G League and Summer League head coach Dane Johnson.
The South Bay Lakers have parted ways with Head Coach Dane Johnson.
— South Bay Lakers (@SouthBayLakers) August 9, 2024
Johnson led South Bay to a 26-24 overall record in the 2023-24 G League season. During his tenure as head coach, four players earned NBA Call-Ups.
A 26-24 record is nothing to write home about, but it's worth noting that several players on the Lakers spent the 2023-24 under Johnson in the G League.
Dane Johnson is out, the JJ Redick era of player development is in
Johnson coached a number of players who spent time with the NBA-level Lakers at some point in 2023-24, including Colin Castleton, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Maxwell Lewis. Hood-Schifino, whom the Lakers selected at No. 17 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, thrived during that time.
The 21-year-old averaged 22.0 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 three-point field goals made on .473/.432/.800 shooting with Johnson and the South Bay Lakers.
Castleton, meanwhile, is coming off of a breakout performance at Summer League, during which time he was again coached by Johnson. Lewis has progressed a bit slower than his teammates, but is only entering the second season of a team-friendly four-year deal.
If the goal is to develop talent, then Johnson clearly has the ability to do so—it's simply a case of unfortunate timing due to the arrival of a new head coach.
Redick has hired player development specialists such as Lindsey Harding and Greg St. Jean, who was with the Lakers when they helped Alex Caruso become a high-level defender. It stands to reason that the next order of business for the Lakers will be to continue the hiring process in the G League.
If nothing else, it's an encouraging sign that Redick is taking a thorough approach to creating the best possible infrastructure to support player growth at every level.
Castleton, Blake Hinson, and Armel Traoré will headline the South Bay Lakers team in 2024-25 after all three were signed to two-way contracts. It's also possible that Bronny James will spend time in the G League as he continues his development into an NBA player.
With a top-to-bottom overhaul of the way the Lakers develop talent underway, the Redick era has officially begun in Los Angeles. That, unfortunately, resulted in Johnson and the Lakers parting way.