JJ Redick reveals Lakers rotation plans; lists Christie and JHS among bench options | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats and Rumors

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with the media during a press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2024 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has given a first look at his tactical plans for the team heading into the 2024-25 season.

Redick told reporters he was tentatively considering fielding a nine-man rotation. Besides clear locks, he named guards Gabe Vincent, Max Christie and Jalen Hood-Schifino, forwards Cam Reddish and Jarred Vanderbilt and center Jaxson Hayes among his other bench candidates:

Daniel Starkand @DStarkand

Here’s JJ Redick saying he’s considering a 9-man rotation and discussing the guys competing for rotation spots off the bench. He said he forgot someone while looking up all the names (Dalton Knecht): pic.twitter.com/4kEqDXruvA

The message the front office sent this offseason is that the Lakers already had the pieces needed to make another deep playoff run; they just needed a different coach to get there. First-round pick Dalton Knecht was the biggest outside addition for Los Angeles.

General manager Rob Pelinka also made it clear that he is in no rush to cash in on the franchise’s best remaining business assets. He said last week, he wants the return to produce “enduring Lakers excellence” and prefers to have a sample size of around 30 games to judge the current team.

Redick has already laid out his projected starting five: D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves in the backcourt, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura at the two forward positions and Anthony Davis at center.

The first-year head coach didn’t spring any surprises.

The challenge for Redick and his team will come in how he manages his lineup throughout a game, as that is something his predecessor struggled with.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick reported in April that “team officials and players believe (Darvin) Ham’s fluctuating rotations, game plans and lack of adjustments led to to an underperforming group.

Davis also alluded to the lack of guidance from the sideline midway through a first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets.

SportsNet Spectrum @SpectrumSN

Anthony Davis: “We have times where we don’t know what we’re doing on both ends of the floor…I just have to get it right on Thursday.” pic.twitter.com/4agots9D6L

Ham is an example of how experimenting too much can backfire. His lineups fluctuated too much and hampered the Lakers’ ability to establish some cohesion on the court.

But Redick will likely try different things early this season in order to get a complete sense of what works and what doesn’t.