Breaking News: Los Angeles Lakers Aims to Strengthen Lakers’ G League Partnership with New Leadership and Vision

The Lakers have always maintained a strong connection with their G League affiliate, South Bay, but new staff and head coach JJ Redick is looking to elevate that partnership even further.

Over the years, several notable players have come through the Lakers’ G League system and gone on to have successful NBA careers. Names like Alex Caruso, Gary Payton II, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac, and Thomas Bryant all spent time in South Bay before making their mark in the NBA.

This summer, the Lakers made a coaching change by parting ways with South Bay’s head coach, Dane Johnson, and bringing in Zach Guthrie as his replacement.

Redick has emphasized the importance of Guthrie’s hire, seeing him as an integral part of creating a stronger developmental pathway between the Lakers and South Bay, describing Guthrie as an “extension” of his NBA staff.

“We brought in Zach Guthrie as our G League head coach. Throughout the interview process and since he’s joined, all we’ve talked about is creating synergy and integration,” Redick said on “The Lowe Post” podcast. “The G League is not a demotion by any means. We share the same building. We should be the model for integration between the NBA team and the G League team. I see Zach and the G League team as an extension of what we do here. I expect us to use the G League for very specific purposes.”

Redick has previously referred to Bronny James as a “developmental player,” with many expecting the rookie to spend a significant amount of time in the G League this season.

South Bay could also play a key role in the continued development of players like Jalen Hood-Schifino, Colin Castleton, Armel Traore, and Christian Koloko, all of whom are on two-way contracts with the Lakers.

It remains unclear whether Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, will spend time in the G League. Kylor Kelley, a standout player who led the G League in blocks per game (2.9) last season and was named to the All-Defensive Team, is expected to help fill out South Bay’s roster ahead of the upcoming season. Kelley, a 7-foot shot-blocking specialist, could create a dynamic frontcourt alongside Castleton and Koloko.

Additionally, South Bay has made moves to strengthen its coaching staff by adding three new assistant coaches: Perry Huang, Barbara Turner, and Mo Charlo. They join assistant Alex Cerda and video coordinator Joshua Townsend, rounding out Guthrie’s staff as South Bay prepares for another G League campaign.