The anticipation is building in Los Angeles as the Lakers gear up for the NBA season under the guidance of their new head coach, JJ Redick. This season is set to be historic for several reasons, not the least of which is the potential for LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, to share the court wearing purple and gold. With a roster that remains consistent from the previous season and the added intrigue of significant family ties, all eyes are on how the Lakers will shape up.
New Beginnings and Familiar Faces
LeBron James, entering his 22nd NBA season at 39 years old, continues to defy time and expectations. The team’s chemistry, largely unchanged from last season, will be tested under Redick’s leadership as they strive for "sustainable Lakers excellence," a vision shared by both Redick and General Manager Rob Pelinka.
Pelinka emphasized the importance of aligning on moves that support the long-term success of the franchise. “I think the philosophy that JJ and I are aligned on is we want to build sustainable Lakers excellence. And I think, when we talk about moves, you can make a move that backfires. I think every GM has made a trade where he says, 'Maybe that one wasn't ideal.' But every lens that we look through has to lead to sustainable Lakers excellence," Pelinka remarked.
The Bronny Factor
The inclusion of Bronny James, selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the second round, adds an element of intrigue and excitement. Having played one season at USC, Bronny is expected to spend a significant portion of his time in the G League, working on honing his skills. However, the potential for him to join his father on the Lakers' main roster is a storyline loaded with promise and narrative appeal.
JJ Redick expressed a mixture of optimism and caution regarding Bronny’s role. "We obviously have talked about it as a staff and we've gotten into some specifics of what that might look like. But we haven't committed to anything. And obviously, there's a discussion to be had once we're all together with Bronny and LeBron, too. They should be a part of that discussion as well," Redick said.
Health and Readiness
Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino are both healthy and ready to contribute, adding stability to the lineup. However, there remain concerns about Jarred Vanderbilt, who underwent procedures on both feet during the offseason. Pelinka is hopeful about Vanderbilt’s availability but acknowledges the inherent risks, noting that "there is still about a month, and there are a lot of ramp-up steps that need to go well, so hopefully there won't be setbacks."
The Father-Son Dynamic
The potential on-court interaction between LeBron and Bronny has already provided some memorable moments. During a practice session, Bronny found himself defending against his father, leading to a notable exchange. "He got switched onto LeBron, and LeBron took him baseline, up and under off the glass. The words exchanged afterward were probably more challenging than anything else," Pelinka recounted. LeBron himself was succinct in his evaluation: "Great defense. Better O."
Redick, meanwhile, sees coaching Bronny as an opportunity rather than a challenge. "I don't look at it as a challenge. It's unique from any other challenge of coaching a player or coaching a relationship. Bronny, I feel very fortunate that I get to coach him because he's young and he's hungry, and he's got a lot of inherent skillsets that we can really mold into a really good NBA player," he said.
Looking Forward
The Lakers will begin their regular season on October 22 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. As they prepare, the mixture of seasoned veterans and young blood, combined with strategic coaching, seems poised to offer a blend of stability and excitement. With LeBron aiming to add to his storied career and Bronny embarking on his own NBA journey, the upcoming season holds significant promise not just for Lakers fans, but for basketball enthusiasts everywhere.