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Three LA Lakers players JJ Redick will be worried about after disappointing preseason
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Three LA Lakers players JJ Redick will be worried about after disappointing preseason

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By James Shearman  |  Last updated Oct 19, 2025 12:53 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the 2025-26 season with high expectations, especially from their passionate fanbase.

After trading for Luka Doncic midway through last season, the Lakers were expected to contend in the Western Conference.

However, JJ Redick’s team did not gel in time to go on a deep postseason run, which made this summer all the more important.

The Lakers made some key offseason additions, and there was plenty of excitement before their six preseason games.

Unfortunately, they lost five out of six games, as many players failed to show why they should be in Redick’s rotation.

NBA Analysis now assesses the three LA Lakers players to be worried about before the 2025-26 season. 

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Dalton Knecht

Dalton Knecht had a difficult debut season with the Lakers, which included a failed trade to the Charlotte Hornets.

Knecht’s form plummeted after the trade deadline, but he still finished the season with solid statistics for a rookie.

Lakers fans would have wanted him to become a key bench player in the upcoming season, but that now seems unlikely.

Knecht could benefit from a change of scenery after shooting just 32 percent from the field and 24% from three in the preseason.

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Jake LaRavia

Jake LaRavia was the Lakers’ second-most expensive offseason addition after signing a two-year, $12 million deal.

The former Sacramento Kings forward is a career 37 percent three-point shooter, so he was expected to provide some excellent spacing.

However, LaRavia only attempted 2.6 three-pointers per game in preseason and made just 23% of them.

If his shooting woes continue, the Lakers will not get the best out of Doncic and LeBron James’ elite playmaking this season. 

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Jarred Vanderbilt

Jarred Vanderbilt will be a key player for the Lakers this season because he is one of their better perimeter defenders.

Alongside Doncic, James, and Austin Reaves, Redick will need a few players to handle the responsibility of guarding the opponent’s best player.

However, Vanderbilt was almost unplayable in the preseason because he shot so poorly, especially from beyond the arc.

He made 36% of his shots from the field and only 15% from three-point range, which will need to change very quickly.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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