Redick addresses his team's struggles with the trade deadline approaching.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in an odd spot right now.
While the team sits at 26-17 and holds a solid position in the Western Conference standings, their recent play has raised concerns about whether this group can truly compete at the highest level, and their head coach believes the upcoming trade deadline might be part of the problem.
After the Lakers fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 112-104 on Thursday night, Redick offered a revealing assessment of what is holding his team back.
The team shot just 45.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range while struggling to find any offensive rhythm for much of the contest.
Redick Explains What Is Holding the Lakers Back
"Trust the pass, and you know that starts with Luka," Redick said postgame. "He's gonna have the ball the most of everyone. He's gotta trust the pass."
But the first-year head coach went deeper than simple basketball mechanics and touched on what he sees as the human side of the situation.
"Guys are worried about their futures, and that's what happens when you've got a team full of free agents and player options," Redick said.
The comment shines a light on how the Lakers' roster construction might be affecting on-court performance.
Several key rotation players face uncertain futures this offseason, including Gabe Vincent, who is averaging 5.0 points on 33.3 percent shooting this season across 22 games.
Rui Hachimura is putting up 12.2 points per game while shooting 43.3 percent from three-point range but is also slated to become a free agent when the season ends.
Even LeBron James, though his status with the franchise is not in question, will hit free agency this summer.
Role Players Struggling to Find Consistency
The Lakers' role players have had difficulty finding consistency in recent weeks.
Against the Clippers, only four players reached double figures in scoring, and the team trailed by as many as 26 points before making a late run that ultimately came up short.
Jarred Vanderbilt provided energy off the bench with seven points, four steals and a block in 22 minutes, but players like Vincent and others have struggled to make consistent contributions.
The Lakers have gone just 9-10 since December 1st and rank 24th in defensive rating at 117.6, showing that this roster needs upgrades on both ends of the floor.
What Trade Deadline Moves Could the Lakers Make?
With the February 5 trade deadline approaching, reports suggest the Lakers are seeking a two-way wing to address their defensive weaknesses.
The team has been linked to players like Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans, though New Orleans is asking for a steep price.
The Lakers have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors, whose trade value has declined amid a difficult season.
The challenge is that Los Angeles has limited assets to work with because their salary cap situation is tight.
GM Rob Pelinka and the front office have only one tradeable first-round pick available in 2031 or 2032, and any trade they make will need to be close in salaries since they sit just $1.1 million below the first apron threshold.
For now, Redick and his players will have to find a way to push past the distractions and focus on the court, but as the coach himself noted, that is easier said than done when so many careers hang in the balance.