JJ Redick hasn’t liked the two-big options he has available, so don’t expect those lineups from the Lakers.
It’s an oversimplification, but coaches usually pick between a small or a big lineup when rolling out a roster.
For the Lakers, going with two-bigs hasn’t really been an option. Anthony Davis has been the only healthy body down low, with Christian Wood missing every game so far recovering from knee surgery and Jaxson Hayes currently out with an ankle sprain.
The only other big options that could give the Lakers a more vertical lineup would require greater reliance on the two-way players Armel Traore and Christian Koloko.
Head coach JJ Redick explained why he hasn’t chosen that option and that he doesn’t like any of the two big scenarios he’s had so far.
“It’s not a good fit and, frankly, I don’t think it’s a great fit with Jaxson either, Redick said after the team’s loss against the Wolves. “We’re really encouraged, I know he didn’t have a great shooting night tonight in terms of scoring the basketball, but we’re really encouraged with kind of the growth Rui’s had and whether it’s LeBron or Rui playing the four with Jackson or Koloko, we like that better.”
Redick sees more of these players than anyone else. On paper, there isn’t significant time with AD and Koloko. Traore has played with the Lakers star forward for just 20 minutes and Hayes has played for 33 minutes with Davis.
That’s not significant data to judge, but if, based on practice and film work, Redick doesn’t like these options, then perhaps it’s good to believe in him.
At the very least, what’s not up for debate is the Lakers needing a quality backup big for the non-AD minutes.
This is why, around the NBA, there is a “belief” that the Lakers want to trade for a center. Names such as Brook Lopez and Jonas Valančiūnas have been connected to the team as potential trade targets.
So, while it’s completely fine if Redick doesn’t want two bigs on the floor, having a center he likes in that setting would be ideal. The Lakers haven’t had a good, consistent big who could dominate with the bench since the 2019-20 season when they had Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee.
It’d be nice if the vice president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, could execute a trade to provide that kind of player for JJ Redick to utilize.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.
