The Los Angeles Lakers have been the quietest team in the league this offseason. They have made no attempts to improve the roster after striking out on their top free-agent targets. Now, they have their eyes on the trade market to ensure JJ Redick has a playoff-caliber roster in his first year as the head coach.The Los Angeles Lakers have been the quietest team in the league this offseason. They have made no attempts to improve the roster after striking out on their top free-agent targets. Now, they have their eyes on the trade market to ensure JJ Redick has a playoff-caliber roster in his first year as the head coach.
Some Lakers fans had bigger fears heading into the offseason. After Redick was hired, there were speculations about potential friction between Anthony Davis and Redick due to the fact that the latter left AD off his All-Defense ballot last year as a media member.
Yet, nothing since the hire suggests there’s anything wrong between the two sides. NBA Insider Marc Stein recently reported that the Lakers don’t need to be concerned about the Redick-Davis situation. In fact, Davis has spoken highly of Redick during Team USA camp and there have been reports about the first-time head coach’s desire to make AD the hub of the offense.
Even though Redick didn’t vote for Davis, the 31-year-old big man made his fifth All-Defense First Team last season. He must have a repeat similar elite defensive performance for the Lakers to have a shot at competing with the best Western Conference teams.
Redick was widely considered to be LeBron James’ preferred coaching candidate, so there have been questions about his qualifications for the job. As good of a basketball mind as he is, Redick has a ton to prove as a head coach in the NBA. How he utilizes Davis and what he gets out of the star big man will largely determine the success of his tenure.
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