The Lakers’ season begins on October 4 with their first warm-up game for the 2024-25 NBA season with some new faces, but the most important being rookie coach JJ Reddick.
The Lakers surprised everyone this summer by choosing Reddick, who had never coached before but co-hosted a podcast with LeBron James, “Mind the Game.”
While speculation surrounding Reddick’s signing was based on his connection to the Lakers superstar, the Los Angeles team faces a new, uncertain path, which is compounded by the questionable selection of Bronny James in the last draft. LeBron’s son, who did not make a big impact during his college career, was the 55th pick by the Lakers.
The decisions that have been made will be put to the test, starting with the preseason game at the Milwaukee Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. PT, NBA League Pass/Fubo/YouTubeTV).
On Tuesday, Reddick introduced his potential starters and there were no real surprises, as he was the foundation of the team that reached the Western Conference Semifinals before being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets.
When James, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura started, they went 23-10 last season.
The focus at practice has been largely on Bronny and his father, LeBron, 39, who could make history this season when they play on the court at the same time for the first time, something that has never happened in the NBA.
According to general manager Rob Pelinka, speaking to the media Wednesday at the Lakers’ training facility in El Segundo, both players have had their moments where they challenged each other. Spoiler alert… LeBron has won them all.
“Maybe the challenge is for Bronny, as it happened in a practice match, I think it was [martes o lunes]“And Bronny had to guard LeBron and LeBron took him to the baseline, up and down the backboard,” Pelinka said. “The exchange of words afterward was probably more challenging than anything else.”
As for how and when the historic moment with father and son on the court will happen, Reddick stipulated that the decision will also fall to them.
“There are no plans for that yet,” Reddick said. “We’ve talked as a coaching staff and thought about the technical issues of what it would look like, but we don’t have anything concrete. Obviously, there’s a conversation that we have to have with Bronny and LeBron, they have to be a part of that decision.”
Reddick said he was pleased with what he’s seen from Bronny so far.
“He is very easy to train, he has the right energy and spirit every day.”
When Pelinka was asked if there was a possibility of acquiring one or two players who would help the team in its championship ambitions but would have to sacrifice its draft picks, the general manager said he wouldn’t hesitate.
“Yes, we would trade both picks if it would lead to sustained excellence for the Lakers,” Pelinka said. “We would also use a pick to make a marginal upgrade if we felt it was the right thing to do. We did a lot of analysis and work to see if there were ways to increase the overall talent of the roster this offseason and the right decision didn’t present itself.”
Dalton Knecht was the Lakers’ other draft pick and was selected at number 17.
