The Los Angeles Lakers got their first look at some of their new players this week amid back-to-back preseason games against the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors, their first post-LeBron James roster. And back before training camp began, Lakers head coach JJ Redick made headlines when he suggested that this specific roster fit the best out of any he’s had during his tenure thus far.

As so often happens with fans on social media, the comment was taken a bit out of context with some suggesting it was a shot at LeBron James. But JJ Redick recently clarified that his take had very little to do with the former Lakers star and more to do with the depth the roster has compared to years past, as per Sam Amick of The Athletic.

“When I said the pieces fit, that’s more about having depth, having multiple ball-handlers beside Luka and AR (in newcomers Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes), having more shooting, more volume shooting, having an elite rim protector – the combination of all those pieces,” Redick said. “And it’s having great wing defenders. I really believe in our wing group. I believe in their defense. I believe in their ability to make open 3s. (But) you don’t become a championship team (in late September). You have to become one throughout the season.”

Article Continues Below

The Lakers certainly seem to have more depth than the past couple of seasons. With Walker Kessler, they have a true center and rim protector. They also added multiple wings who can defend and hit the 3-point shot in Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams. They have bigs with different skill sets in Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili.

But only time will tell if this Lakers roster is capable of being a contending team.