Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick isn’t waiting until the regular season to make a mic-drop worthy comment.
While speaking to the media this Thursday, Redick discussed the Lakers’ outlook for the 2026-27 season. He confirmed that Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will be the driving forces behind their offense, which makes sense considering they averaged 33.5 and 23.3 points per game last season, respectively.
The Lakers will also expect a lot out of Walker Kessler, who they acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz. They gave up unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 as well as 2028 and 2030 first-round swaps in order to land the 7-foot-2 center.
Kessler, who averaged 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game last season, is expected to give the Lakers a major boost in the frontcourt. At least that’s what the front office is hoping for considering they gave him a four-year, $130 million contract.
© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.
So who’ll round out the rest of the starting lineup for the Lakers? Redick is “confident” he won’t start two other white players.
We’re not kidding.
“I’m pretty confident in three of the spots,” Redick told reporters. “The other two spots will not be two white guys.”
Who will join the starting five?
The Lakers had quite the spending spree, landing Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton in free agency.
There are plenty of people projecting Grimes to start this upcoming season. Ziaire Williams and Jake LaRavia have also been mentioned as potential starters.
Mamukelashvili, a 6-foot-9 forward, averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Toronto Raptors last season. He could be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate if he has similar production in Los Angeles.
The Lakers will begin their regular season on Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors.
