Lakers JJ Redick Drops Concerning Statement On Newest Player
Story by
Lakers JJ Redick Drops Concerning Statement On Newest Player
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) Getty
Eli Gregorski·HEAVY
·
6 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 25: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 116-104 to take a 2-1 series lead. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: President of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during warmups before the team's preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Getty
The Los Angeles Lakers recently made a roster move to add center Lawson Lovering on a two-way contract, and head coach JJ Redick's first comments on the big man might sound a bit concerning.
The Lakers waived AK Okereke to make room for Lovering on the roster, as he's now the third two-way player on the team, joining Chris Manon and Arthur Kaluma as the other players who will bounce back and forth from the G League.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Los Angeles needed a backup center, and while it's likely Lovering still won't be playing significant minutes, the Lakers added another big man to the depth chart.
JJ Redick Makes Concerning Lawson Lovering Statement
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 25: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 116-104 to take a 2-1 series lead. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
After the news broke of the Lakers waiving Okereke and signing Lovering, first announced by Michael Scotto and then confirmed by ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Redick gave a brief comment about the new addition.
"JJ Redick when asked what he knows about the two-way signing and what he can bring to the table: 'I know his name is Lawson Lovering,'"McMenamin wrote in a post on X, quoting the Lakers' coach.
Lovering is the newest player on the roster, and despite having some previousNBAexperience, he still isn't a well-known name.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
In two games with theMemphis Grizzlieslast season, he averaged seven points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 24.5 minutes.
Lovering, 23, played in college at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Utah, and remains a player who could be beneficial to the Lakers' center depth, set to play behindWalker KesslerandKevon Looney.
"The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Lawson Lovering to a two-way contract. In a corresponding move, the team waived two-way forward AK Okereke,"the team wrote in a statement. "Lovering (7-0, 245) appeared in 30 games (26 starts) for the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League last season, averaging 7.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 27.1 minutes per game, while shooting 59.2 percent from the field.
"Over four collegiate seasons at Utah (2023-25) and Colorado (2021-23), Lovering appeared in 113 games (86 starts) and averaged 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.8 minutes."
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Though Redick might not know Lovering now, that will change as the big man is now on the Lakers' roster.
Lakers Could Still Make A Big Man Trade
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 13: President of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during warmups before the team's preseason game against theGolden State Warriorsat T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
While Los Angeles did add another center, albeit on a two-way contract, there's still a good chance the Lakers make a trade for a backup big man.
It's become clear that Looney isn't the answer to the non-Kessler minutes, andas team reporter Jovan Buha stated, a move could come soon.
"I would not be surprised if they potentially make some sort of move with either a two-way or roster spot to try to add someone because it's clear that this is a massive hole [on] the roster," Buha said before the Lovering signing. "I think they probably have to address it via trade ultimately."
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Additionally, Buha believes Looney,Bronny James, andJaden Hardycould all be on the chopping block, should the Lakers find a big man in the trade market. Names likeMoussa CisseandJericho Simshave emerged as potential targets, whileDwight Powellcould arrive in free agency, a move that would likely see James or Hardy be waived.
"Now Looney, from an experience perspective, you could argue has the most value. So as long as he's not playing and it's more so just him as a locker-room guy, sure," Buha added. "Then it's Hardy or Bronny. And then I think they're gonna try to flip Hardy. So Bronny is the one who's only making a couple million that they could potentially waive."
"I think they probably have to address it via trade ultimately," Buha added. "But if they want to – like, yeah, I made the analogy with Dwight Powell being a Band-Aid, but you might need a Band-Aid until the trade deadline. So maybe you do go Dwight Powell."
For now, the Lakers signed Lovering, but it remains to be seen if another move is in the cards to add another center as the 2026-27 NBA season goes on.
