JJ Redick Pinpoints Lakers’ “Bright Spot” in Blowout Loss to Suns
The Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason got off to a rocky start on Friday, Oct. 3. JJ Redick’s team suffered a 22-point loss to the Phoenix Suns (103-81).
Despite being blown out, Redick found some positives in his team’s performance. When speaking to the media during his post-game news conference, he pinpointed Jarred Vanderbilt as a bright spot for the Lakers.
“I thought Vando played extremely hard and was very disruptive,” Redick said. “…He was a bright spot tonight. I thought his physicality, disruption defensively was good. As he builds his conditioning, I expect him to be an elite offensive rebounder for us this year. He’s really worked on his shot, I know it didn’t show tonight. But he’s worked on his shot and he’s getting more and more comfortable shooting spot-up 3s. So I expect him to be an impact player for us.”
Vanderbilt’s first two seasons with the Lakers have been decimated by injuries. He played in just 29 games in the 2023-24 season and followed that up with 39 regular-season outings in the 24-25 campaign. Clearly, Redick is hoping Vanderbilt can stay healthy, especially due to what he provides defensively on the perimeter.
Redick Hopes Lakers Have “Pre-Injury” Vanderbilt
During the same news conference, Redick noted how Vanderbilt’s production in the early days of preseason is giving him hope that he’s back to his pre-injury best.
“It looks like we do have the pre-injury version of Vando,” Redick said. “I’ve talked a lot with him this summer about just like that he got put into a tough spot, post-trade, because he had to play the five, there weren’t other options. Just play small, had to be the backup five, they were our two options. So, I think getting him back on the perimeter, his body being in a good place from an athleticism and agility standpoint, will be super helpful for our team.”
Last season, the Lakers ranked 17th in the NBA for defensive rating, allowing 113.8 points per game. Rob Pelinka has moved to fix some of those defensive issues this summer. Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton will all help shore up the defensive rotation.
However, having Vanderbilt back and healthy will also be a huge boost to Redick and the Lakers‘ defense.
Lakers Face Warriors Next
Los Angeles will be back in action on Sunday, Oct. 5. The second game of their preseason preparations will be against the Golden State Warriors. Steve Kerr’s team will be looking to build chemistry after the roster was recently rounded out, following a prolonged standoff with Jonathan Kuminga.
Nevertheless, the Lakers will undoubtedly want to get into the win column. Even though these games don’t count, it’s important to build some momentum and stack some preseason wins. Nevertheless, Redick will likely be focused on seeing signs of improvement from his rotation. Fitness, understanding of the system’s principles and overall cohesion will be among the key indicators of how the Lakers are progressing.
Vanderbilt will undoubtedly want to continue impressing and proving his value to the organization. After two difficult years, this could be the season where he finally shines. Hopefully, a healthy season from him can get the franchise one step closer to a championship.
Mark Cuban reveals crushing NBA stipulation that spurred Mavericks' Luka Doncic trade
Mark Cuban’s influence over the Dallas Mavericks has always been clear. After selling a majority stake in the franchise in 2023, many expected him to continue playing a key role in basketball operations. However, Cuban recently shared that the NBA derailed that plan, which might have contributed to one of the team’s most debated decisions: the Luka Dončić trade.
On the DLLS Mavs podcast, Cuban revealed that the NBA changed the terms of his sale agreement, forcing him to drop a clause that would have guaranteed his involvement in major decisions. “There was a clause in there that gave me the right to be in every meeting, every trade discussion, everything,” Cuban said. “And the NBA took that out. I’ve got the letter from my lawyer saying the NBA made us remove it.”
Cuban has always been open about his ownership experience. When he sold the majority stake to Patrick Dumont and the Adelson family, reports suggested that he would still manage basketball operations, while the new owners would handle business matters. This arrangement seemed perfect for someone who has been dedicated to Mavericks basketball for over twenty years. Now, Cuban claims the NBA stripped him of his influence, essentially cutting him out of the team's biggest decisions.
Cuban and NBA tell opposite stories of the Luka Doncic trade
However, the NBA disagrees with Cuban’s account. League officials argue that the division of power between Cuban and Dumont was up to them, not dictated by the league. According to them, Cuban’s reduced role resulted from the final ownership agreement. Without seeing the document that Cuban refers to, fans are left questioning whether this was genuinely an NBA decision or simply a consequence of a rushed sale process.
If Cuban’s claim is accurate, the consequences are significant. His exclusion from front office decisions would mean he had little input in the trade that sent Luka Doncic away from Dallas. For fans who have seen Cuban fiercely protect the franchise's key players, whether Dirk Nowitzki or Doncic, this news is devastating. His less active role might explain why the Mavericks made such a significant move that did not reflect his usual approach.
This situation also raises questions about the real power of minority owners. Cuban still owns a substantial part of the Mavericks, but without control over operations, his ownership is mainly financial. If the NBA did pressure him to step back from basketball decisions, it would send a clear message to other potential minority owners: the league may favor a clear governance structure over individual influence.
For Mavericks fans, this revelation adds more pain to an already tough chapter. Cuban’s passion and presence have shaped Dallas basketball for decades. Learning that he wanted to stay involved, only to be sidelined, deepens the frustration Cuban admitted he regrets not structuring the sale differently and even recognized that he should have put the team “out to bid.” This is a rare moment of reflection from someone who usually presents confidence in his decisions.
Ultimately, whether the NBA truly forced Cuban’s hand, the perception is powerful. Mavericks fans now have a new perspective on the Dončić trade and the team’s future. Cuban may no longer be in charge, but he continues to attract attention. In this case, his words suggest that one league-mandated change could have reshaped the Mavericks’ future in ways no one, not even Cuban, saw coming.
