The Lakers are preparing to open their regular season at home against the Golden State Warriors this Wednesday, following five preseason games and a training camp that offered both promising moments and some confounding connections between new teammates.
Coach JJ Redick noted the team is "ready to go," but emphasized that improvement is an ongoing process. "You’re always trying to get better," Redick said after the Lakers' final preseason loss to the Denver Nuggets, adding that the team will continually tweak plays, offense, and coverages even later in the season.
Among the notable developments was the emergence of Ziaire Williams, a Sierra Canyon High alumnus. The 6-foot-9 forward played in only two preseason games, both starts, but made a significant impact. He was perfect from three-point range, shooting five-for-five, and averaged 13.5 points while taking on a prominent defensive role. Redick, who had admired Williams’ defensive intent from afar when the forward played for Brooklyn, expressed being even more impressed by the 25-year-old’s character and leadership qualities after seeing him daily. Redick believes Williams is a "special human being" and a player with significant room to grow, potentially moving from a veteran minimum contract to a first-day starter.
While Williams stands out, the power forward position appears to have several options. Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Adou Thiero also had strong preseasons. Mamukelashvili, in particular, showcased a versatile offensive game, averaging 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, with impressive shooting percentages of 55.6% from the field and 54.2% from three-point range. His all-around play, including a rapid sequence of a three-pointer, a dunk, and an assist against Denver, suggests he could quickly become a fan favorite at Crypto.com Arena. President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said he and Redick sought to build a roster of role players who could pass, dribble, and shoot, a description Mamukelashvili seems to fit. Guard Austin Reaves confirmed, “He’s a good basketball player, so we’re very excited for what he brings to the team."
Despite offensive flashes, rebounding emerged as a potential weak point for the team. The Lakers ranked second-to-last in the preseason, averaging 39.4 rebounds per game. Three preseason games without center Walker Kessler highlighted this concern, as the team was outrebounded by 23 during those games, compared to a deficit of just one in the two games Kessler played. Redick noted the need for at least two big wings on the court to improve rebounding, while Williams emphasized a team-wide effort, stating, "We can’t just rely on Walker to get 30 rebounds a game." Kessler, who had 15 rebounds in two games, appears to be crucial for the team's presence on the glass.
Developing chemistry among key players also presents a challenge. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler have had limited time on the court together, with all three playing only one half in the same game, and Doncic and Reaves sharing the court just twice. Reaves acknowledged the "growing pain, just lack of reps together," but expressed confidence the team would "pick up on it sooner than later."
Beyond on-court chemistry, roster decisions loom. The Lakers must cut their roster to 15 players by opening night. Pelinka had mentioned the possibility of consolidation trades, but none have materialized, partly due to the team’s limited draft assets, as they do not control their own first-round pick until 2032 and lack a second-round selection until 2031. This situation puts players like forward Dalton Knecht, the 17th overall pick in the 2024 draft, at risk of being waived. While Knecht showed promise early in his career, Redick stated that "The team changed. The needs changed, the fit changed." Guard Jarred Vanderbilt did not play in the final preseason game, and guard Jaden Hardy, on the fringe of the rotation after joining the team from Washington, noted he is approaching his situation with a "clear head, clear mind, new situation, new opportunity." Additionally, the Lakers averaged 23 turnovers per game during the preseason, a struggle exacerbated by guard Collin Sexton's absence due to a lower leg injury and Bronny James' preseason struggles, which included 12 turnovers and 2.2 points per game on poor shooting.
With these observations in mind, the Lakers look to integrate their new talent and address areas for improvement as they kick off the regular season against the Golden State Warriors.
