EL SEGUNDO — On the same day he was officially hired as the Lakers’ new head coach, JJ Redick offered a glimpse into his vision for Anthony Davis ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.
“One of the things I brought up with him is just the idea of him as a hub,” Redick said in late June. “There’s a bunch of guys at the five position in the NBA that sort of operate in that way. I don’t know that he’s been used in that way and sort of maximized all of his abilities.”
For Davis, who is coming off a 2023-24 season in which he was named All-NBA second team, marking the first time he received an All-NBA honor since his first season with the Lakers in 2019-20, the role Redick wants him to play offensively is one he’s comfortable with.
Davis is coming off a summer in which he helped lead Team USA to an Olympic gold medal.
“Every team that I’ve played on, going back to New Orleans, I’ve always caught the ball in the middle of the floor and kind of [directed] the offense,” he said Monday during the team’s preseason media day at UCLA Health Training Center. “That’ll be nothing new.
“But as far as conversations, we had a couple. I’m pretty sure our conversations will be a little bit more in depth [going forward]. But I’m very comfortable with having the ball and playing from anywhere on the floor.”
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said Davis “chose to be very involved” in the coaching search that led to the team hiring Redick.
Davis said he didn’t have many direct conversations with Redick during the coaching search, adding that he gave his input based on what Pelinka was communicating with him.
“Obviously it’s different for [Redick] being a first-time coach and head coach,” Davis said. “So that’s a little different. The principles that he was and the scheme that he wants to bring into our organization just kind of stood out to me. Kind of just relayed that to Rob and let Rob kind of do him job from there.”
And Redick, one of the league’s all-time great 3-point shooters, has already been telling Davis what else he wants to see from him this season.
“He’s been on me all summer about shooting 3s,” Davis said. “Even [in] the Olympics when I [made] a 3, he’ll text me ‘That’s what I wanna see,’ things like that. So for him, it’s definitely gonna be just shooting more 3s.”
RUSSELL’S SURPRISE
D’Angelo Russell had a lighthearted start to his media day news conference session, joking with reporters as he walked to the podium: “Surprise, surprise … nah, I’m just playing. I got to get the smiles going.”
For Russell, a player whose name has been linked to trade rumors almost since the moment he was dealt back to the Lakers in February 2023, being back in a Lakers jersey to start this season was an uncertainty until he opted into his $18.7 million player option as part of the two-year, $36 million contract he signed last summer.
“I just got used to it,” Russell responded when asked about constantly being in trade rumors and how that’s helped him prepare for this season. “Hopefully you’ll know what you’re going to get from me. This is definitely a new feel, new everything going on with the structure and with JJ coming around and implementing what he’s trying to do. It’s changed the rhythm of things around here. My approach is just stay steady.”
Russell is coming off one of his best seasons, averaging 18 points, 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game and shooting a career-high 41.5% from 3-point range.
His 226 3-point baskets set a new single-season franchise record.
Redick said Russell is the player he probably spoke with the most during the offseason, and he is looking to put the 10-year NBA veteran in position to have a career-best year.
Related Articles
Lakers training camp preview: 5 storylines to monitor
Alexander: Will standing pat be enough for Lakers?
Lakers mulling plans for historic first game with LeBron, Bronny
Adrian Wojnarowski is leaving ESPN for alma mater to become GM of St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team
Lakers, Christian Koloko reportedly agree to deal
“I feel like he’s probably kinda harped on my energy is kinda contagious,” Russell said. “So just being a positive guy, a high-confidence guy, (high-)IQ guy.
“I’m vocal. Me being vocal in the short time I’ve been here this summer, I kinda recognized it and harped on it a little more than normal. Just keep that going. Continue that. We love to see that. We notice that. These kind words mean a lot to me because I’m not used to hearing those.”
INJURY UPDATES
Jarred Vanderbilt (feet surgery) and Christian Wood (left knee surgery) are the lone players who won’t be available to begin training camp on Tuesday.
When asked if the Oct. 22 season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves is a realistic return date for him, Vanderbilt replied that he’s “not quite sure” but he’s “been making good progress.”
Wood is expected to be reevaluated in early November.