EL SEGUNDO — Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged multiple times throughout the 2024-25 season that they didn’t have a traditional defensive perimeter “stopper” on the roster.

And because of that, his team would have to rely on the effort, schemes and techniques within a team defense to have success on that end of the court – especially after trading Max Christie and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks as part of the deal that brought Luka Doncic to Los Angeles .

But Redick hopes that Marcus Smart, one of the team’s free agent signings , and the improved health of forward Jarred Vanderbilt will add a dimension to the team’s defense this season that they lacked for significant stretches of last season.

“With a healthy Vando and hopefully a healthy Marcus, our ability to put more pre

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