Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick has made it clear that the team will dial back on defensive switching this season, a departure from the frequent switching schemes used over the past two years. The change comes after the arrival of Walker Kessler, the Lakers’ new starting center known for his shot-blocking ability, who will anchor the paint and allow perimeter defenders to stick to their original assignments more aggressively.
At a press conference last week, Redick explained that Kessler’s presence as the last line of defense means the Lakers don’t need to rely as heavily on switching to cover mismatches. After a training camp session on Wednesday, Redick elaborated that while the team will reduce switching overall, it will still occur in certain situations among the four players on the floor who aren’t Kessler. “I think our switching groups and switching protocols are going to be a little different this year with the non-fives, depending on what the action is,” Redick said. “There’s certain non-negotiables that we’ll continue to switch one through four, just because if you don’t, they create unsustainable advantages for the offense.”
The Lakers’ interior defense is expected to improve significantly with Kessler patrolling the paint. But the team has also upgraded its wing defenders, adding Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle, with second-year forward Adou Thiero beginning to show his defensive capabilities. This deeper, more capable group on the perimeter could allow the Lakers to either maintain their matchups or switch without sacrificing size or defensive skill.
Redick pointed to the wings’ defensive work during Wednesday’s session as a positive sign. Guard Austin Reaves remarked on the difficulty of scoring against Thybulle and Williams, especially with Kessler backing them up inside. The Lakers finished 20th in defensive rating last season, and while they may not reach elite status on defense in 2023-24, the combination of Kessler’s rim protection and strengthened perimeter defense suggests a noticeable improvement.
The Lakers’ approach this season will blend more disciplined assignments with selective switching, aiming to avoid the breakdowns that come from over-switching. Redick’s reference to “non-negotiables” implies that the team will still shift when necessary to prevent offensive advantages, but the baseline strategy will lean on Kessler’s ability to protect the rim and the wings’ capacity to handle their defensive responsibilities.
With training camp underway and the roster shaping up, the Lakers appear to be redefining their defensive identity around Kessler’s strengths. Redick’s comments after the session confirm that the team is experimenting with how much switching to use but intends to keep it measured rather than frequent.
This approach marks a clear tactical adjustment from recent seasons, reflecting new personnel and a desire to tighten defensive consistency. The latest updates from camp suggest the Lakers’ perimeter defenders are responding well to the new plan, while Kessler stands ready to be the backbone of their interior defense.
According to Yahoo Sports.
