In a recent interview on SiriusXM radio, Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed his eagerness to take on the challenge of leading the purple and gold. Redick not only reiterated his passion for the team but also delved into what he believes the team needs in the upcoming season.
Redick’s sentiments were highlighted in a recent clip posted to X, where he mentioned the placement of Anthony Davis in the middle position has had varying outcomes. Despite Davis’ impressive scoring averages of 23.2 and 25.9 points per game in recent seasons, his playing time has been plagued by injuries, causing him to miss a significant number of games. However, the past season saw Davis excel in his role as the team’s primary center, showcasing an outstanding performance with career-best statistics and earning accolades such as All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA Second Team selections.
Since taking on the coaching role, Redick has envisioned Davis as the offensive focal point of the team. He believes pairing Davis with a strong starting-caliber center is crucial to maximizing Davis’ potential on the court. Redick also emphasized the importance of size in the playoffs, citing their height disadvantage in previous playoffs series against teams like Denver.
Despite Redick’s ambitious vision for the team, the Lakers have yet to make substantial improvements in their roster. Redick pointed out the team’s unsuccessful attempts to acquire a reliable center during the offseason. The current big men on the Lakers roster, Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes, while talented in their own right, may not possess the necessary qualities to complement Davis and LeBron James effectively.
The Lakers’ pursuit of center depth has been met with challenges as most potential targets either re-signed with their current teams or opted to join stronger contenders. As the offseason progresses, the Lakers face the daunting task of finding a starting-caliber center who can complement their star players and help them achieve success in the upcoming season.
