Lakers head coach Jay Jay Reddick is positive about the team’s actions in the offseason, trans ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“I think with this group it’s probably the first time in three years that I’ve been here that I feel like the pieces really fit together” Redick said.
During the same press conference on Thursday, president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka he was asked if he thought the Lakers — as they are now — are championship contenders.
According to Melissa Rollins of The California PostPelinka suggested Los Angeles is still behind the Thunder and Spurs in the Western Conference standings, but said the team is “on its way” to contention.
However, Reddick had a different, unprompted opinion.
“I am confident that we will develop as a team into a championship level team this year” Redick said.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Redick suggested Thursday that the star is guarding Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves and the center Walker Kessler locks for the starting lineup, but two other places for grabs, writes Dan Voike of The Athletic. “I’m pretty sure about three places. The other two spots won’t be two white guys– Redick said sharply.Those are two things that don’t change.” Woike features free agent listings Quentin Grimes, Ziair Williams and Mathis Tiboule as candidates for the starting spot, noting that Williams impressed the team during pre-training camp workouts. Jake Laravia and Sandro Mamukelashvili may also factor into the starting lineup equation, and Redick praised the progress Goodbye Thiero has taken over the past couple of months, Woike adds.
- Doncic hosted his teammates in his native Slovenia this summer after the front office tried to assemble a roster to complement its best player. Doncic, a six-time All-NBA first-teamer, released a 24-minute video on Friday (Link to YouTube) with some highlights from the team’s time in Slovenia. “It was amazing to spend this time togetherDoncic said Wake. “With a lot of new guys, I wanted to make sure we build chemistry, and I think people will see that when the season starts. I don’t think I would have been comfortable doing a trip like this a few years ago, but I felt important and I’m glad it happened.”
- In a a new book about the Lakers, which was created in cooperation with the team, Doncic promised to deliver another championship to the club, as Jonny Askovnis of Eurohoops relay. “I’m not sure I ever imagined I’d end up here“, Doncic wrote.”It’s a wonderful surprise and I feel amazing, and now I’m desperate for what all Lakers want: to win it all.“
- Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus lists five forwards he thinks the Lakers could consider targeting on the trade market in 2026-27, including Derrick Jones Jr Clippers and Julius Randle networks.
- In case you missed it, we’ve rounded up a few from Pyalinka most noteworthy quotes from Thursday’s media session.
