Sports
JJ Redick feels the Lakers can compete as presently constituted
After a rough stretch a few weeks ago, the Los Angeles Lakers are starting to surge again. They have won six of their last eight games, and with an 18-13 record, they have risen to fifth place in the Western Conference. They’re just 1.5 games behind the fourth-place Dallas Mavericks, who are expected to be without superstar Luka Doncic for at least the next month.
Obviously, the Lakers will need to make at least one trade if they want to rise to the level of the true championship contenders in the NBA. But right now, they have the potential to win plenty of games in the coming weeks, thanks in part to a favorable schedule.
Head coach JJ Redick said that while he frequently talks to general manager Rob Pelinka, presumably about potential roster moves, he’s confident in the team’s ability to compete as presently constituted.
Via Lakers Nation:
“Rob and I talk all the time, but my focus is on coaching this group and trying to maximize this group,” Redick said after Lakers practice on Friday. “Frankly, I have belief that when this group is healthy, we can compete. If there’s a move to be made, there’s a move to be made. But I’m focused on this group.”
On Saturday, Los Angeles defeated a potent Sacramento Kings team by 10 points without LeBron James, who sat out with an illness. It scored 132 points, which was a season-high in regulation, and it shot an incredible 59.7% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range while dishing out 33 assists.
The team still hasn’t enjoyed the services of forward Jarred Vanderbilt or big man Christian Wood, both of whom had offseason surgery, this season. Backup center Jaxson Hayes has played in just one game since spraining his ankle in early November, but he could return as soon as Tuesday’s game versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers may not be championship contenders, but right now, things are looking at least somewhat bullish for them.
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