JJ Redick explains the importance of developing players like Bronny James and Dalton Knecht: "Transactions are going to become harder"
JJ Redick stressed the importance of developing budding talent in the LA Lakers fold. The newly minted head coach of the Purple and Gold spoke about developing rookies Bronny James and Dalton Knecht as they begin their NBA journey.
The 40-year-old shed light on how the Draft was more than just signing a raw and skilled rookie, and with new tax rules, it was important to develop young players who are signed on the fringe.
Speaking to the league's official site, Redick spoke of incorporating data and analytics as a key way to improve player performance, while adding how tax rules could impact roster building.
"You’ve sort of seen this trend, and I think we’re at the inflection point with these new tax rules kicking in, that transactions will become harder. So the Draft becomes more important. Who you sign on the fringe – your two-way guys, your G-League guys, your 12th, 13th guys on the roster. So, incorporating technology, analytic... It goes beyond just, ‘Hey we need to work on this dribble move,’ or ‘We need to work on your 3-point shot.’"
While JJ Redick is not coaching the Summer League team, the head coach has been following Bronny and Knecht's outings. He has been lavish in his praise of both the rookie acquisitions, and only time will tell how the duo fares under Redick.
JJ Redick bids adieu to podcasting after landing Lakers head coach role
After being named as the LA Lakers head coach earlier last month, JJ Redick officially big goodbye to his podcasting that made him a household name. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he said:
"ThreeFourTwo is alive and well. ThreeFourTwo will continue to operate. I'm going to have no involvement. My entire focus, right now, is on coaching the Los Angeles Lakers and making them the best possible team they can be."
Redick has been a familiar face in the podcasting space since ending his playing career. His "The Old Man and the Three with JJ Redick and Tommy Alter" quickly rose to become one of the most popular shows among NBA fans.
Soon after, it was his "Mind The Game" podcast with LeBron James that gave insight into the nitty-gritty of the game with both the Lakers superstar and Redick dissecting different points of the sport.
Now, the Lakers have hired JJ Redick as not just the coach who can deliver a title to them as they enter another win-now season, but for the foreseeable future as well.