The long wait is almost over, the training camp is right around the corner, and the 2024-25 NBA season is less than four weeks away. The Los Angeles Lakers are beginning the new season with a deep postseason run on their minds but their roster is far from ready to contend.
One of the reasons for that is the fact that they failed to upgrade in the offseason. They struck out in free agency and the trade market, so they had to bring back the same core from last year. And that core who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round will be a year older.
Lakers fans were hoping for an upgrade over D'Angelo Russell specifically. The 28-year-old point guard has repeatedly proven that he wasn't a playoff-level player. He is fine in the regular season with his scoring and playmaking ability but his lack of efficiency and defensive deficiencies prove too costly in the playoffs.
Yet, new head coach JJ Redick doesn't think that the Lakers have a D'Angelo Russell problem. In fact, he seems to think that he can get him to have a career year. In a press conference on Wednesday, Redick revealed that he is giving special attention to Russell, according to Lakers Nation.
"I would say throughout the summer, he was probably the guy that I talked to the most of anyone on the roster. We had a number of conversations during free agency and throughout July and August and he’s going to have a major role on this team. I think the thing that DLo and I have talked about a lot is just like, ‘Let’s put you in a position to have a career year.’"
- Lakers HC JJ Redick
Russell was an All-Star in the 2018-19 season with the Brooklyn Nets. He averaged 21.1 points and 7 assists for the overachieving Nets. Regardless of whether he deserved the All-Star nod, it is very difficult to imagine him playing at a level close to that. Russell's shot selection and overall efficiency have improved since then but he can't maintain it when his volume increases.
At this stage of his career, Russell is a known commodity. He has played on multiple playoff contenders and has disappointed when the stakes get higher. Why Redick thinks that there is more to him is difficult to understand.
