JJ Redick Has Yet To Finalize Lakers’ Starting Lineup

Oct 6, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick holds the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Oct 6, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick holds the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

JJ Redick Has Yet To Finalize Lakers’ Starting Lineup

Originally posted on Lakers Nation | By Corey Hansford | Last updated Oct 12, 2026 2:25 PM ET

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One of the big stories going into training camp for the Los Angeles Lakers was which two players would be round out the team’s starting lineup on Opening Night. Head coach JJ Redick made it clear that it would be an open competition to decide who would join Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler in the starting five.

So far through three preseason games, there have been some standout players and those watching closely could likely put together a decent guess as to who the final two spots will go to. But Redick maintains that nothing has been made definitive just yet, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:

“We’ve certainly seen glimpses of the things we like. It’s hard because we’ve just been a little disjointed with the guys being banged up, so there’s nothing definitive yet.” – JJ Redick on determining the two Lakers opening night starters next to Doncic/Reaves/Kessler https://t.co/NcX6ccSk2f

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 11, 2026

As Redick noted, it is a bit difficult to judge everything as certain players have missed camp and preseason games. Kessler himself has yet to suit up in the preseason and Reaves has only played one game, so figuring out who clicks with them together is next to impossible. Meanwhile, Ziaire Williams played in the first preseason game, but missed the next two dealing with a foot contusion.

Quentin Grimes has been viewed as a favorite for one of the starting spots since before training camp began and his play in the preseason has more or less solidified his place amongst the starters, providing another creator and a point-of-attack defender on the perimeter.

That final spot remains up in the air. Williams started the first preseason game and had a strong showing. On paper, he is the ideal fit with this lineup and could be the choice come Opening Night. In his absence, second-year forward Adou Thiero has gotten the start in both contests and provides much-needed energy, athleticism and defense while Jake LaRavia has performed great this preseason and is playing with far more confidence.

With one more week and two final preseason games remaining, there is still plenty of time for Redick to figure out the right starters and have everything ready to go once the season begins.

Walker Kessler returns to full practice, eager to make Lakers debut

Some good news on the injury front for the Lakers came with Kessler returning to full practice and the big man is eager to make his preseason debut for his new team.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Lakers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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