Lakers' Redick Says Naming Starting Lineup 'Not That Important' Before 2025-26 Season
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick isn't concerned with naming a starting lineup for the 2025-26 season as training camp gets underway.
Redick said that a starting lineup is "not that important to me" on Thursday, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
LeBron James and Luka Dončić are guaranteed to be starters, while Deandre Ayton's chances of starting at center are high after signing a two-year deal worth $16.6 million with the Lakers over the offseason.
Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves both started for Los Angeles throughout the 2024-25 season, but the free-agency addition of Marcus Smart could complicate Redick's decision and potentially bump one of Hachimura or Reaves to the bench.
Smart's ability to serve as a consistent point-of-attack defender is something that the rest of the team's probable starters don't provide, and could be enough to warrant extended minutes.
The Lakers only ranked No. 17 in defensive rating last season, via NBA.com.
Meanwhile, Smart has also started in 204 of his 234 games played over the past five seasons.
Still, it's understandable that Redick wants to take a patient approach with creating his rotation. The performances of players in training camp as well as the preseason will likely impact his final decision.
The Lakers will kick off the regular season against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21.
