The Los Angeles Lakers undoubtedly have a trio of superstars good enough to compete with just about any team’s top players in Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James. All three could be named All-Stars this season and head coach JJ Redick has done an excellent job at getting all three to gel together, particularly on the offensive side of the floor.
But as is always the case in the NBA, it is the role players who can ultimately make all the difference and the Lakers know this all too well. Players such as Michael Cooper, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Metta World Peace and Alex Caruso have played crucial roles in the franchise’s 17 NBA Championships.
This year’s team has had some moments, but also some inconsistency in terms of getting what they need from their role players. And when Redick was recently asked what are the best kinds of role players to surround his stars with, he gave a short and simple, yet truthful answer, via Dan Woike of The Athletic:
Pretty insightful (and succinct) answer from JJ Redick when I asked him today about what's the best way to play around star players.
"It depends on what the star player does well."
Q: What's the best way to play around your star player?
"Defend and shoot threes."— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 16, 2025
Doncic, James and Reaves are three of the best offensive creators in the NBA today. All of them are excellent at attacking the basket and creating open looks for themselves or their teammates, and are high IQ players who see things before they happen. With players like that, the prototypical 3-and-D players are essential to take this Lakers team to the next level.
The problem for the Lakers is that they have role players who are great at one of those things, but not so great at the other. Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent are more offensively focused players while Marcus Smart, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia give great effort and energy on defense, but have struggled to consistently knock down open shots.
It is still early enough in the season for Redick and the coaching staff to figure out the ideal solution with what they have available on their roster and the players will undoubtedly continue to put in the necessary work to improve. But Redick made it clear what he needs from the role players surrounding Luka, LeBron and Reaves so it will be on them to provide that.
Lakers eyeing young 3-and-D wings on trade market
Head coach JJ Redick and the Lakers front office are aligned on the team’s needs as the franchise is reportedly eyeing young 3-and-D wings on the trade market.
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