The Los Angeles Lakers will go as far as LeBron James and Luka DonÄić take them, but the supporting cast will also be important in such a daunting Western Conference.
Given that reality, head coach JJ Redick detailed some of his plans when he told reporters Wednesday he hopes to use more defensive pressure in 2025-26 with Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt serving as the primary on-ball disrupters.
Redick also said Smart is one of the locks for the backcourt rotation alongside DonÄić, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia.
That Redick sees Smart, who was one of Los Angeles’ key offseason additions, as a leading defender comes as no surprise. After all, his resume includes the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year and three All-Defensive selections.
He has always thrived on that side of the ball and is someone who can take the pressure of DonÄić and allow the potential MVP candidate to carry the offense without having to worry about guarding the opponent’s best perimeter player.
Vanderbilt also brings important defensive versatility, as he can guard multiple positions at 6’8″. He can bother outside shooters and ball-handlers with his length while allowing the Lakers to play small-ball at times if they want him in the frontcourt.
Los Angeles was a middling 17th in the league in defensive rating last season, per NBA.com, and was a step below some of the top teams in the Western Conference because of its inconsistency on that end.
The front office surely had that in mind when it acquired such a dominant defender in Smart, and Redick already knows how he is going to use the veteran.
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