JJ Redick says Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie had ‘great’ summers

The Lakers will need some young players to step up this season and early signs from JJ Redick are that Max Christie and Jalen Hood-Schifino could be likely candidates.

While the Lakers have few questions about their starters, particularly so after JJ Redick already named his lineup, there are far more questions about the players behind them on the bench.

Most of those questions stem from the fact that the bench is largely full of veterans who are known not to be the solution (i.e. Cam Reddish, Christian Wood) or young players who might have potential but still a lot to prove (i.e. Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie).

Redick will have to decide whether he is willing to endure some growing pains with the young players or look for more immediate solutions with lower ceilings in the veterans. Fortunately for him, it sounds like the decision could be made a bit easier.

While appearing on “The Lowe Post” podcast with Zach Lowe, Redick talked about some of the younger players on the roster and how impressive they’ve been this summer.

“I actually think, based on everything I’ve seen since Summer League, we’re going to have to make some tough decisions in the rotation because there’s a number of younger players that have really improved over the last two-and-a-half months that, when we’ve had our small group workouts and our player development games, that have really played well and have really grown and embraced how we want to play. They’re going to have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation.

Even with just like Dalton [Knecht], to me – I told him this the other day – he’s in the 1% of shooters. He’s in the 1%. Like, he has a skill that’s hard to find. He’s going to have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. Jalen Hood-Schifino’s had a great summer. Max Christie’s had a great summer.”

If JHS and Christie are able to make a leap into the rotation, that could be huge for the Lakers.

With Christie, the expectation is there for him to be part of the rotation and he should be at the start of the year. He showed enough last season to warrant a spot in the rotation and now that Taurean Prince has departed, it’s really hard to make an argument against playing him more.

JHS, though, would be more of a surprise if he’s ready for some serious rotation minutes. He was a complete non-factor last season, but he’s also still just one year removed from being a top-20 pick.

If he can be relied upon for minutes, it gives the Lakers more backcourt depth and might make it easier for them to part with a guard in search of front court help this season as well.

The other implication here would be that, if JHS had an impressive summer, that would almost certainly mean he’s healthy and able to take part in training camp from the jump. That would be huge for JHS and the Lakers to get a real sense of where he’s at and if getting rotation minutes is viable.

If some of these younger players pan out, the Lakers’ situation could certainly feel a whole lot better with so many young role players able to contribute and grow, a trait many franchise that consistently contend have.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.