The Los Angeles Lakers began training camp Tuesday with a clear mandate: earn your minutes. Coach JJ Redick confirmed Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler as three of the team’s projected starters, leaving two starting positions and multiple roster spots open for competition among the remaining players.
Quentin Grimes, a 26-year-old guard acquired this offseason, is among those vying for a role. In an interview with Newsweek, Grimes stated his goal is to start, emphasizing the competitive environment Redick has fostered. “Having those comments brings competition, brings drive,” Grimes said. “I want to fight for it, I want to earn it.”
Redick has repeatedly framed the Lakers’ approach as a meritocracy, where performance—not tenure or reputation—determines playing time. “You got to earn your minutes, and you cheer for your teammates while you’re doing it,” he told the Los Angeles Times. The competition extends beyond the starting lineup, as the Lakers must trim their roster to the NBA-mandated 15 players by the October 21 season opener.
Competition for Roles
The two open starting spots are being contested by forwards and wings, including Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Ziaire Williams. Mamukelashvili, praised for his versatility, described the atmosphere as one where “everybody has something to prove.” Vanderbilt, meanwhile, emphasized the team’s depth, noting the Lakers’ ability to field multiple competitive lineups.
Roster Construction After LeBron’s Departure
The Lakers’ roster overhaul follows LeBron James’ decision to leave the franchise after eight seasons, including a 2020 championship. James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in his final Lakers season before joining the Philadelphia 76ers. The team’s new direction centers on Dončić, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade this offseason.
Redick’s comments suggest a deliberate shift away from the James-centric era, where nearly every roster decision was made with him as the focal point. The Lakers’ preseason schedule—five games and a month of practices—will serve as the proving ground for players seeking to secure their spots. Kessler, the team’s projected starting center, downplayed individual stats in favor of the competitive environment, calling it “the stage as players audition to fill the vacant roles.”
Key Dates and Next Steps
The Lakers’ roster must be finalized by October 21, the deadline to submit their 15-player opening night roster. The team’s first preseason game is scheduled for October 8, providing an early opportunity to gauge which players have separated themselves in the competition.