Lakers 2025 Media Day

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers opened Media Day on Monday with head coach JJ Redick entering his second season on the sidelines and LeBron James preparing for his 23rd year in the NBA.

Top Player Quotes/News to Note:

• Luka Doncic said he was excited to play for the Lakers. This will be his first full season playing with the Lakers since getting traded in the City of Angels in the middle of last season.

• LeBron said he is not waiting for his son Bryce to reach the NBA before deciding to retire. He made it abundantly clear that Bryce has his timeline and LeBron has his own timeline. Surprisingly, (or maybe un-surprisingly), according to Austin Reaves, this was the first time he has seen LeBron James since their not so close 5 game series with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

• Austin Reaves after mentioning that he thought, “Team USA was going to the pull off the greatest comeback and sports history,” Reaves also told us one of the reasons he wanted to play with the Lakers is so that he could play with LeBron James. Also called out that LeBron told him that he got his first career birdie on the golf course!

• Deandre Ayton called out that he thinks that “This is the biggest opportunity of [his] career.” Austin Reaves said having someone that with the addition of Deandre Ayton he could potentially he can potentially help them out with some things they needed in spurts last season. First a pick and roll presence, a lob threat. Reaves also mentioned having someone that knows how to communicate on defense and be in the right spots would be big for them.

• Marcus Smart said that Head Coach JJ Redick mentioned to him that, “[they] want Boston, Marcus Smart.” Smart won the 2021-22 DPOY when he was playing for the Celtics.

• Rui Hachimura mentioned that it is not really about who starts this year, it is moreso about minutes. Also a key note to mention, Rui said he spent time over the summer working out with LeBron James again.

• Jarred Vanderbilt stated that, “For me personally, my number one goal is [to] finish the season healthy.” He also thinks that the Lakers will need to, “buy in” in order to have a “healthy and successful season”.

• Maxi Kleber says that he feels “fully recovered and fully healthy,” going into the new season. One thing Kleber called out was working on his overall strength over the summer. Kleber was injured at the time he was traded to the Lakers last season and was thrown into Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves (the Lakers were eliminated Game 5). Mentioned that he likes to do the dirty work and stuff that doesn’t pop up on the box score.

• Dalton Knecht was a key topic during the Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick media availability on Thursday. JJ told reporters that he thought Knecht could have potentially been burnt out over the summer. (Knecht received criticism for his play during Summer League.)

• During player availability on Monday, Knecht agreed with the Roanoke native head coach that he could have been burnt out this summer. According to Knecht, being burnt out could have been a result of putting in so much work with his trainer following the season. The Tennessee sharpe shooter said he wanted more minutes on the court

• Bronny James (LeBron James Jr.), is looking to contribute more this season. He mentioned he has all the trust in Redick, who suggested he get time in the G-League last year. Bronny said that this turned out to be great for him and this help

• Jake LaRavia grew up in the Los Angeles area and mentioned his dad was a Magic Johnson fan, so he is well aware of the expectations of being a Laker. One goal of LaRavia’s is to get better each season. Austin Reaves mentioned he thinks LaRavia would have a, “really, really big season”. With size, speed and athleticism being great qualities LaRavia brings to the team.

• Adou Thiero said he has not yet been fully cleared, but he has been working out and training. He is still dealing with some swelling in his knee injury. The Arkansas/Kentucky product mentioned he watched a lot of different players growing up so he really does not model his game after one certain player.

Looking Forward to the season:

• The Los Angeles Lakers have their first preseason game of the season this Friday at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT.

• The Lakers kick off their regular season stint on October 21st against Golden State Warriors