What happened: JJ Redick said he felt he was cosplaying as a coach early in his tenure, pretending at the role. He credited more reps with growing comfort entering his third season leading Los Angeles.
Why it matters: Continuity matters for a group built around a summer of multi-year deals in Los Angeles. The roster must be trimmed to 15 by Oct. 20, putting early camp evaluation at a premium.
What to watch: Watch preseason rotations and camp decisions as the Lakers finalize the roster before the Oct. 20 deadline.