Like other players around the league, the free agents on the Lakers are looking at the present to secure their future, whether it’s in L.A. or elsewhere. And the key to staying on the NBA level is more minutes that can translate into more shots and eye-catching numbers.
Coach JJ Redick understands that. “I’ve been there,” said Redick, who played 15 years in the NBA, including four with the Clippers. He called it a “human element.”
“Guys are worried about their futures and that’s what happens when you got a team full of free agents and player options. It’s just natural that you’re going to worry about the offense … it gets in your head a little bit. ‘Played five minutes (and) haven’t gotten a shot yet.’ That’s a human thing. It’s not anyone’s fault.”
The Lakers have five players in the final year of their contracts and three more with player options for the 2026-27 season, making for eight potential free agents this offseason.
LeBron James, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber are in the final year of their contracts, while star guard Austin Reaves has a player option for next season but reportedly is waiting to see what he can get in free agency before making any decisions. The Lakers can offer him up to five years and $241 million.
Marcus Smart, 31, and Deandre Ayton also have player options.
All of which is creating trust issues on the court when it comes to passing the ball. Redick didn’t single out any player, saying his comments were in “general,” but he did say that getting teammates involved in the offense begins with Luka Doncic, the team’s primary ball handler.
In Thursday night’s 112-104 loss to the Clippers, Doncic took 27 of the team’s 88 shots (making 11) and 13 of their 33 3-point attempts (making three).
“He’s going to have the ball the most of everyone. (But) he’s got to trust the pass and if he gets two (defenders) on him and he’s playing in a crowd, he’s got to pass the ball,” Redick said. “And I think as much as we can talk about being connected on defense, you’ve got to be connected on offense.”
Doncic agreed he is responsible for getting his teammates involved but then pointed to their 24 assists (on 40 field goals) against the Clippers and called it “not bad.”
“Obviously, it could be better. But I think the ball was moving well in the second half, that’s how we got back,” Doncic said of a second-half run in which the Lakers reduced a 26-point deficit to two points in the fourth quarter.
“As JJ said at halftime, the ball needs to move more, and that’s what we did.”
James, the second-leading ball handler on the team, helped himself to 19 shot attempts against the Clippers, making nine. Hachimura shot 5 for 11 (2 for 7 from 3-point range) and Smart shot 4 for 10 (1 for 5 from behind the arc)
James said he’s not thinking about his immediate future, despite being the subject of trade rumors. After the game, he seemed content to finish out the season in purple and gold.
“I’m good. I’m good,” he said.
LAKERS AT MAVERICKS
When: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. PT
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV/Radio: ABC (Ch. 7), 710 AM, 980 AM