Lakers News: Top 3 Decisions That Rob Pelinka Could Make To Help JJ Redick’s LA Mission

Having failed to secure the championship title for the fourth consecutive year, the Los Angeles Lakers went into the off-season looking to make big changes. The team management recently kicked things off, giving their vacant head coach position to former Orlando Magic player JJ Redick. With this move, the focus will now be shifting to rearranging the roster that would best work with the directions of the new HC.

A few hours ago, Hoops Tonight host Jason Timpf released another episode of his podcast. With ‘The Athletic’ reporter Jovan Buha joining in as guest host, the duo proceeded to discuss the state of the Lakers personnel going forward. Buha stated that the franchise is reportedly placing emphasis on “small to medium” upgrades, with new deals being created with key role playing players. In such a situation, three players who can see an upgrade to their midsize contracts are shooting guard Austin Reaves, power forward Rui Hachimura, and 25-year-old Jarred Vanderbilt. In addition to the trio, the Lakers may choose to hand out a higher platform to D’Angelo Russell and/or Gabe Vincent, if there is a need.

“Some form of trading, some combination of those guys either packaging a couple of them together or doing a couple of separate deals, and then using your picks….. to get a couple of upgrades” said Buha. “Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt have like a ‘basketball baby’, and like that is the starting small forward for the Lakers”.

Austin Reaves is still serving under the terms of the 4-year, $56 million contract that he signed back in July 2023. With three more seasons and a player option available only in his third year, the player can exit the team only via a trade. However, given that he averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists during the recent regular season, the franchise may not be ready yet to part ways with him. Furthermore, Rui Hachimura was also a significant contributor in the recently concluded tournament, averaging 13.6 points. While Jarred Vanderbilt may not have been as impressive, his role as the 3 Center is not to be underestimated.

Even before his position as head coach was confirmed, JJ Redick had shared his thoughts on the existing roster. For Austin Reaves, he stated that the player is someone through him the rest of the team “rin offense”, someone who has “got a bag of tricks” with him. He also stated that the franchise would benefit a lot if they brought Rui Hachimura back to the main lineup. Now, by working alongside general manager Rob Pelinka, the former player has the ultimate opportunity to make the changes in accordance to his desire.

Austin Reaves’s agent believes that JJ Redick will show a “different part” of the player’s game

The news about JJ Redick rising to the top position was met with acclaim by many. From sportscaster Stephen A. Smith to renowned Lakers legend Magic Johnson, several people from the NBA fraternity sent in their congratulations. Amongst them was Austin Reaves’s agent Aaron Reilly.

A few hours after the official announcement, Reilly took to his official X account to share his reaction. He displayed optimism towards Redick by stating “This coach is about to show a different part of Austin’s game none have you seen.  Kept receipts on all that third superstar bullshit.” Calling him a great hire, the agent will be looking on during the next season to see just how far Redick will take the franchise.

Jovan Buha had earlier stated how Darvin Ham’s decision to bench both Reaves and D’Angelo Russell during the course of the tournament “did not sit well with many within the organization and locker room”. Therefore, by giving Austin Reaves a bigger role, Redick would easily establish himself as a different coach than Darvin Ham.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about WNBA star rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.