Getting the Lakers into peak physical condition appears to be head coach JJ Redick‘s primary goal entering the season, writes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Redick refers to it as being in “championship shape,” and notes that the directive is not only aimed at star Luka Doncic, though Doncic is one of the more visible examples of the fitness push.
As McMenamin writes, remaking his body through dieting and rigorous exercise routines has been the focus for Doncic this summer, both for himself and for the team as a whole.
“It’s not just physical shape, it’s mental shape, too,” the Slovenian star said. “Both are very important. We’re doing it in practice. It was great. Everybody’s in great shape. Everybody’s running a lot, so it’s been great so far.”
Despite Doncic’s efforts to reshape his body this offseason, he will not play in the Lakers’ preseason games this weekend, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter), who calls it a collaborative decision with the Lakers’ performance team. Redick had previously said he’d be careful about overextending Doncic too early after the 26-year-old’s run with the Slovenian national team in EuroBasket.
While Doncic isn’t playing this weekend, Redick is expecting him to play at some point during the preseason, tweets Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina.
LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Adou Thiero, and Maxi Kleber are all expected to miss tonight’s game against the Suns as well.
We have more from the world of L.A. hoops:
- The Lakers remade their roster this offseason, but there are still significant questions to answer, writes Eric Pincus for Bleacher Report. Health will play a key role in the team’s outlook, along with the natural wear and tear that can be expected for the 40-year-old James. However, the most pressing unknown revolves around the fifth starting spot. Pincus names Smart, Rui Hachimura, and Jake LaRavia as three players most likely competing for the role. Hachimura has experience with the team and has shown himself to be a consistent shooter, having made 41.8% of his three-point tries over the last two seasons in L.A. Pincus calls LaRavia a high-effort defender who can also shoot the ball at 6’7″, while Smart brings a perimeter defensive toughness that a team built around Doncic, James, and Austin Reaves could use. Pincus also throws Jarred Vanderbilt‘s name into the mix as a potential dark-horse option.
- The Clippers brought Brook Lopez into the fold in an effort to reduce the burden on breakout defensive stalwart Ivica Zubac this season, writes Janis Carr for the Orange County Register. “We didn’t really have a backup center (last season), so when things got tough, we always had to get Zu back in the game,” head coach Tyronn Lue said. “I thought he played for too many minutes. If you asked him, he didn’t play enough, but for me it’s just too many minutes.” While Zubac was always up for the challenge and turned in the best season of his career, the Clippers now have the luxury of bringing a longtime starter and multi-time Defensive Player of the Year candidate off the bench in Lopez. As an added bonus, Lopez and Zubac have a Los Angeles-based history together. “I played with Zu with the Lakers almost 10 years ago now. I think it was his second year in the league, and he was a very talented, raw young player then,” Lopez said. “But to see his growth, it’s astonishing.“
- Lopez wasn’t the only big-name acquisition for the Clippers this summer. They also added Bradley Beal, John Collins, and brought back Chris Paul. They now have one of the deepest benches in the league, but that brings with it questions about how the rotation will shake out, writes Law Murray for The Athletic. Murray predicts that Beal will be the starting shooting guard and suggests that Collins could have a chance to start at the four, sliding Kawhi Leonard to the three. However, with so many talented players, some will likely be squeezed from the rotation. When asked about his role with the team, Nicolas Batum said, “Ask (Lue) that question, I don’t know… I mean, I’m here to play basketball.” Murray writes that he considers Batum the most likely odd man out when everyone is healthy.
Lakers tried to do bits this offseason but the core of Reaves Luka and Bron aren’t a cohesive unit and they won’t work.
Houston is desperately looking for a guard to replace FVV who is done for the season with his ACL injury. You should be jumping at the chance to give them Reaves and raid them of some of their depth.
Austin Reaves, Maxi Kleber and Dalton Knetch for Steven Adams, Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason.
Leaving you to line up
Vincent Luka Tari LeBron Ayton
Sheppard Smart LaRavia Rui Adams
As for the Rockets, AR with Thompson KD Smith and Sengun that’s rock solid. DFS, Capela and Knetch aswell. Buy out Kleber and get Russ for depth and that’s a team set for a deep playoff run.
Back to the Lakers, Short term maybe a little less star power but much better depth and cohesion. Tari is a great 2 way forward that drastically improves the teams defence. He’d be a great long term fit with Luka and be learning from one of the best in LeBron.
I also think Reed Sheppard is a very solid addition, he didn’t do much as a rookie but the potential is there. In college he shot 52% from 3 and averaged over 4 rebounds and assists to go with 2.5 steals. In 3 GLeague games he averaged 31-8-4 with almost 3 steals and a block a game.
In both off-seasons of summer league he’s played fantastic aswell, it’s just about settling in at the highest level.
Then on top of that you get Steven Adams who is perfect to pair with Deandre Ayton. He offers defence, physicality and experience all areas Ayton lacks at times.
As a group you’d have the stars, you have defenders, you have the mix of experience and youth and long term your also in a good place for life after LeBron.
I think Houston make this deal because Tari is on the last year of his deal and will need a healthy extension. Reed was so far off the pace as a rookie that you don’t feel comfortable starting him with Fred out and with Adams you have Sengun and Capela so he is expendable. AR is a near all star level player that replaces FVV perfectly. Knetch gives you a good young back up shooter for the bench and Kleber is likely just a buyout candidate
If I have to wager it will Rui opening night
Optimal- Vando if he’s back to 2023 Vando (big ask)
I say optimal as Id like to see LBJ play point forward more outta the paint and less on the perimeter outside of spot up 3’s from the PF spot. I also see him getting 4-6 mins at the 5 at least worth tinkering with early season
Vando does suppress spacing no doubt but there’s zero polished answer today (or in sight) so Vandos POA defense gets the nod for me in an admittedly wonky starting offensive group. Bench has shooting tho so Im sure Jj will have shorter rotations than avg w the mix and matches
If you squint there’s some juice in the lemon, but like the article begins with health will be imperative