JJ Redick identifies key areas Lakers must improve ahead of 2026-27 NBA season opener

Expectations are building around the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of their 2026-27 NBA season opener against the Golden State Warriors. With LeBron James having departed for Philadelphia and his long-term future still uncertain, the Lakers are set to usher in a new era anchored by Luka Doncic, leaving head coach JJ Redick with the challenge of quickly finding the right formula for his reshaped roster.

Addressing the upcoming campaign, Redick offered a candid assessment of the team’s preseason growing pains, highlighting several critical defensive areas the Lakers must clean up to compete in a crowded Western Conference.

“From early in September, and even kind of early training camp-ish, maybe before we played our first game, I thought we could potentially be like around an average defense…the areas of focus for us, transition defense, defensive rebounding, we weren’t good [during preseason]. So if we get better at that, I think we’ll have a chance to be a pretty good defense, and that’s exciting,” Redick told reporters.

With those defensive priorities front and center—and Dalton Knecht’s situational role already defined outside the team—Los Angeles enters the new season relying on a revamped supporting cast capable of shifting the team’s trajectory.

Lakers’ new additions for the upcoming season

As the Lakers retool around Doncic and Austin Reaves, front-office moves brought a wave of fresh talent to Hollywood, headlined by guard Quentin Grimes, who landed in Los Angeles on a four-year, $60 million deal.

See also

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Here is how the Lakers’ offseason roster additions break down heading into opening night:

Trades and sign-and-trades:

• Walker Kessler (C): Acquired from the Utah Jazz via a major sign-and-trade deal (4 years, $129.5M) to anchor the interior defense.
• Jaden Hardy (SG): Acquired from the Washington Wizards alongside two future second-round picks in exchange for Deandre Ayton.

Free agent signings:

• Quentin Grimes (SG): Signed to a 4-year, $60M contract to bolster perimeter defense and 3-point shooting.
• Sandro Mamukelashvili (PF/C): Signed to a 4-year, $52M deal, bringing frontcourt playmaking off the bench.
• Collin Sexton (PG/SG): Signed to a 2-year, $19.2M room-exception deal to provide scoring punch in the backcourt.
• Kevon Looney (C): Veteran rim protector added on a 1-year minimum contract.
• Matisse Thybulle (SG/SF): Elite perimeter defender signed on a 1-year minimum contract.
• Ziaire Williams (SF): Athletic wing depth added on a 1-year minimum contract.

Key takeaways

• JJ Redick highlighted defensive rebounding and transition defense as areas needing improvement.
• Quentin Grimes signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Lakers.
• Walker Kessler joined Los Angeles via a four-year, $129.5 million sign-and-trade deal.