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JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers did not need style points on Sunday night.
They needed a response.
After dropping three straight games, Los Angeles found one against the Sacramento Kings, snapping the skid with a much-needed win powered by familiar stars and an unexpected boost from the backcourt rotation.
While Luka Doncic led the way and LeBron James delivered another steady performance, head coach JJ Redick pointed to something else afterward.
Aggression.
Lakers Guard Makes Most of Opportunity
GettyLakers guard Nick Smith Jr. during a game against the Sacramento Kings
With Austin Reaves sidelined by injury and Gabe Vincent also unavailable, Redick turned deeper into his rotation.
That opened the door for Nick Smith Jr..
Smith provided instant offense off the bench, scoring 21 points in 24 minutes and knocking down five three-pointers. He did not need plays run for him to get going. He created his own rhythm early and never backed off it.
After the game, Redick made it clear that this was not a fluke performance in his eyes.
“Yeah, I said before the game, he’s helped us win two games prior to tonight,” Redick said. “He helped us win tonight. He’s been in a lot of NBA games for someone his age. So this is not new. It’s why we wanted him on the Lakers and part of our program, because we knew he could score.”
Redick Opens the Door for Nick Smith Jr.
The message from the Lakers coach was not about chasing shots.
It was about trusting Smith to play with confidence inside the team’s structure.
“I like when he’s aggressive,” Redick said. “He can just do him within our structure. A lot of times, good things happen.”
Redick expanded on that idea again after practice the following day, stressing that Smith’s role will naturally fluctuate but the mindset should not.
“We want him to play his game always,” Redick said. “Some opportunities haven’t gone well, some have gone really well and he’s helped us win. We want him to be him.”
That opportunity, however, comes with clear expectations.
“Our roster, frankly has a lot of guys that do a lot of one thing really well and the balance of finding that offense-defense balance has got to be there for a guy like Nick to play meaningful minutes,” Redick said. “That’s just the reality. He knows that.”
For Los Angeles, that balance matters. Replacing everything Reaves brings is not realistic for one player, but Smith’s ability to generate offense without needing setup adds a different dimension to a roster heavy on facilitators.
What It Means for the Lakers Going Forward
The Lakers know where their offense starts.
Doncic and James remain the engines. But behind them, flexibility matters, especially during stretches when injuries test the rotation.
Smith’s willingness to shoot, attack, and stay assertive gives Redick another option when the offense bogs down or spacing tightens. It also reinforces why the organization has kept him close despite roster limitations tied to the apron.
If Smith continues to deliver production like this, the Lakers may soon have a larger decision to make.
For now, the message is simple.
Stay aggressive. Stay ready. And keep playing within the system.
That is exactly what Redick wants to see.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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