Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks to drive to the basket while under pressure from Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Palm Desert, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang

Los Angeles Lakers

Last season: 47-35, lost to Denver in first round.

COACH: JJ Redick (first season, hired June 20)

Article continues after this advertisement

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 22 vs. Minnesota

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS PBA Finals: TNT carries extra weapons into duel vs Ginebra SPORTS NBA to investigate 76ers over Joel Embiid's playing status SPORTS NBA: Buddy Hield helps Warriors blow out Blazers in season opener

DEPARTURES: F Taurean Prince, G Spencer Dinwiddie.

ADDITIONS: F Dalton Knecht, C Christian Koloko, G Bronny James.

Article continues after this advertisement

BetMGM championship odds: +4000

Article continues after this advertisement What to expect

The Lakers are counting on a new coaching staff to transform essentially the same roster that won last year’s In-Season Tournament, but couldn’t contend for an NBA title despite the greatness of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Article continues after this advertisement

Redick has never coached at any level of his sport, but James’ former podcast co-host wowed the Lakers’ top brass with his ideas to get more out of James, Davis and this supporting cast.

READ: NBA: JJ Redick eager to succeed in Lakers’ audacious coaching experiment

Early in the regular season, James and 20-year-old Bronny James will become the first father-and-son duo to play together.

Article continues after this advertisement

Later in the season, the health of James and Davis will determine whether Redick even has a chance to work wonders.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick gestures during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Palm Desert, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Strengths and weaknesses

The good: James does not appear to be slowing down at all in his record-tying 22nd NBA season, and Davis is coming off an outstanding season in which the oft-injured big man played in a career-high 76 games.

The Lakers are betting their roster continuity will help, and Redick is even keeping the same starters — D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura — alongside his dynamic duo. The bench looks decent, particularly if Jarred Vanderbilt finally returns from his extensive injuries to provide defensive toughness.

NBA schedule released: Celtics-Knicks, Lakers-Wolves on opening night

The not-so-good: The Lakers once again failed to land a third superstar to play alongside James and Davis, with GM Rob Pelinka in part blaming the league’s new roster rules.

Even with James and Davis almost fully healthy last season, this roster wasn’t a Western Conference contender, and it’s tough to imagine the Lakers getting that lucky with injuries again. Los Angeles is pinning its hopes on Redick being exceptional and on James and Davis staying healthy.

Players to watch

The only roster addition who might contribute immediately is rookie Dalton Knecht, a standout scorer at Tennessee.

Russell has been Redick’s top project, with the rookie coach vowing to get more consistency and leadership from the prolific guard who goes missing too frequently on offense and doesn’t maximize his limited defensive skills.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

LA is also betting heavily on former second-round pick Max Christie finally stepping up as a three-and-D wing in his third NBA season after getting a four-yearezjili, $32 million contract.

READ NEXT Surprises expected in first ever Reyes Cup billiards event NBA parity era is here, Celtics will try to end it EDITORS' PICK ‘Bar Boys’ musical is extending its run. Here’s why you *must* see it Maymay Entrata featured in Grammy’s ‘It Goes To 11’ series Canada to cut immigration numbers Metro Manila, portions of Calabarzon placed back at Signal No. 2 LIVE UPDATES: Severe Tropical Storm Kristine West PH Sea: Indonesia drives out China coast guard ship from disputed waters MOST READ LIVE UPDATES: Severe Tropical Storm Kristine West PH Sea: Indonesia drives out China coast guard ship from disputed waters Metro Manila, portions of Calabarzon placed back at Signal No. 2 LPA outside PAR may become tropical depression Friday – Pagasa View comments

• amp
• #8217
• ezjili
• NBA
• Lakers