The Los Angeles Lakers gave head coach JJ Redick a contract extension before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season.
The Los Angeles Lakers show full confidence in JJ Redick as they believe he is the coach who will lead the team to the top.
The Lakers will have some new faces this season with Luka Donsic, Austin Reeves and LeBron James.
The Lakers brought in leading veterans DeAndre Ayton and Marcus Smart, who could become a very important piece during the Lakers’ quest to win another championship.
After spending last season with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards, Smart comes to the Lakers.
Smart wasn’t the same player he once was when he was a member of the Boston Celtics, but the Lakers hope he will thrive in their system.
Smart brings valuable 3-point shooting and secondary ball handling skills to help Doncic and Reaves.
Redick revealed another quality needed from Smart at the team’s press conference.
“I know what we get from Marcus Smart.
“Toughness, I’ve already said this to him, “We need his voice as part of his communication.”
“He’s always been an underrated playmaker. Marcus can be that secondary ball handler.”
One of the biggest stories heading into the Lakers season is what the starting lineup will look like.
Redick could start smartly or go with Rui Hachimura.
Reddick was asked about what his starting lineup would look like.
“That’s not that important to me. I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it.
“We certainly have a lot of players called 7 or 8, who are starter-level players in the NBA.”
The Lakers’ first preseason game will take place on October 3rd. This could reveal clues as to what Reddick thinks in terms of his ideal starting lineup.