Lakers Shake Up Starting Lineup: Russell Moves to Bench, Reddish Gets Starting Nod
In a significant roster adjustment, the Los Angeles Lakers made headlines on Friday night as head coach JJ Redick announced that D’Angelo Russell would come off the bench against the Philadelphia 76ers. In his place, head coach JJ Redick promoted Cam Reddish to the starting lineup.
The change comes as the Lakers look to break out of their recent slump, having lost four of their last five games after a promising 3-0 start to the season. Defense appears to be the driving force behind the move, as Redick aims to enhance the team’s defensive presence in the starting unit.
The lead-up to the decision
The decision follows a particularly challenging game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, where Russell played just six minutes in the second half and was notably absent during the fourth quarter. Before the change, Russell had been averaging 12.0 points and 5.8 assists in 30 minutes per game through the first eight games of the season.
During the Grizzlies game, a viral video captured Redick’s visible frustration as he slammed his chair in response to a Russell shot. However, Redick was quick to clarify the situation before Friday’s game.
“Basketball to me is an emotional game. I’m a competitive person; I’m a passionate person,” Redick explained. “That was not directed at him. Indeed, the incident occurred following a corner shot he took, but it was preceded by 25 plays from various players.
The New Starting Five
The revised starting lineup now features:
- Cam Reddish
- Austin Reaves
- LeBron James
- Rui Hachimura
- Anthony Davis
Russell’s role and relationship with Redick
Despite the change, Redick emphasized that this isn’t a permanent move or a demotion for Russell. The coach highlighted their strong working relationship, noting Russell’s professionalism in adapting to the team’s offensive system.
“DLo and I are good. He’s been a professional,” Redick stated. “I’ve asked him; he’s a pick-and-roll player, and he’s playing in an offense that doesn’t feature a lot of drag pick-and-rolls and high-ball screens. He’s been super coachable.”
The move could actually benefit Russell, giving him more opportunities to handle the ball with the second unit. Since joining the Lakers in February 2023, Russell has started in 202 of his 244 games with the team.
Looking Ahead
The timing of this change could work in the Lakers’ favor as they face a struggling Philadelphia 76ers team (1-6) that will be missing key players Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. The Lakers will test their new rotation against a Sixers starting five featuring Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre, Caleb Martin, Paul George, and Andre Drummond.
The success of this lineup change could prove crucial for the Lakers as they attempt to reverse their recent downturn and return to their early-season winning form. With both teams dealing with adjustments, Friday’s game promises to be an intriguing test of Redick’s strategic shift.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Russell adapts to his new role and whether this change can provide the defensive spark the Lakers are seeking. For now, it represents a bold move by a rookie head coach looking to make his mark on a team with championship aspirations.