Lakers' JJ Redick Clarifies Perceived LeBron James Shade After Saying Pieces Now 'Fit Together'

Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick expanded on recent comments expressing excitement about his current roster, which seemed like potential shade toward LeBron James, when speaking with The Athletic's Sam Amick.

Redick told reporters Sept. 24, after James left to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, he considered the current version of the Lakers "the first time in my three years here that I feel like the pieces actually fit together."

The Lakers coach more recently told Amick that comment regarded new depth options behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

"When I said the pieces fit, that's more about having depth, having multiple ballhandlers besides Luka and AR, having more shooting, more volume shooting, having an elite rim protector — the combination of all those pieces," Redick said, according to Amick.

Redick continued, per Amick: "And it's having great wing defenders. I really believe in our wing group. I believe in their defense. I believe in their ability to make open 3s."

He added the Lakers can't "become a championship team" in September but "have to become one throughout the season," per Amick.

The Lakers completely overhauled their roster this summer, parting ways with Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard along with James.

Those moves coincided with the franchise bringing in Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney and Matisse Thybulle.

Sexton and Grimes can function as ballhandlers behind Reaves and Dončić, Amick noted. Kessler will be asked to provide rim protection while Williams and Thybulle will be tasked with defending from the wings.

The Lakers showed off the shooting volume Redick mentioned in an Oct. 5 preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings, during which a roster resting some starters but playing Dončić for 16 minutes shot 45 percent from deep on 44 attempts.

Redick will now be tasked with finalizing which players will be starting alongside Reaves, Dončić and Kessler ahead of his team's Oct. 21 regular-season opener against Stephen Curry and the visiting Golden State Warriors.