The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the upcoming season with a retooled roster, and coach JJ Redick will have to navigate the personalities and egos of his new players. He, however, has been optimistic that it won't be a problem.

The Lakers lost to the Golden State Warriors, 124-98, in the preseason on Tuesday. After the blowout, Redick did not mince his words, lamenting their terrible start, which he described as “insane” and “unacceptable.”

Before facing the Sacramento Kings in the preseason on Thursday, Redick was asked about his belief in consistency. The third-year coach underscored their focus on defense.

“Some of the guys we brought in, like Matisse (Thybulle) and Ziaire Williams, they've done that throughout their careers. That's who they are. Walker (Kessler) has been a really good defensive player. I think Adou (Thiero) knows if he's gonna play, that he's gonna do that on the defensive end,” said Redick in the video posted by The Athletic's Law Murray.

“I think the writing (on the wall) is just clear. I think we've been clear with everybody. When I called Q (Quentin Grimes) during free agency, it was what we talked about, the defensive end. The expectations are very open and out there.”

Asked JJ Redick what gives him the belief that his team will play hard for him all season

"I think the writing is … it's just clear. We've been clear with everybody… The expectations are very open and out there." pic.twitter.com/fB98DoJIDJ

— Law Murray 💀 (@LawMurrayTheNU) October 9, 2026

As the maxim goes, there is no off-night on defense.

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Against the Warriors, Grimes had 12 points, one rebound, three assists, and one steal in 23 minutes, while Thiero had seven points and four rebounds in 17 minutes.

Thybulle, Williams, and Kessler sat out the contest. Kessler has yet to make his debut for the Lakers, as he is sidelined by a finger injury.

Last season, the Lakers only allowed 114.6 points per game, which was 11th-best in the NBA.