The Los Angeles Lakers have strengthened their roster with the recent addition of forward Alex Fudge, a move aimed at enhancing their lineup as they head into training camp for the upcoming NBA season. Fudge, standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 200 pounds, was picked up as an undrafted free agent from the University of Florida last year. While his time on the court last season was mostly spent in the G League, he did get some playing time with the Lakers in four games and made appearances in two games with the Dallas Mavericks.
The decision to sign Fudge aligns with the Lakers’ broader strategy of focusing on young talent development. His potential upside as a versatile forward makes him a promising addition as the team looks to solidify its depth for the future. This move is part of a series of roster adjustments the Lakers have made, as they also recently brought in guard Jordan Goodwin, who has experience with the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and Memphis Grizzlies. Additionally, the Lakers briefly signed Vincent Valerio-Bodon, a 6-foot-9 wing who played for their summer league team, although he was waived shortly after.
These roster changes highlight the Lakers’ ongoing efforts to build a competitive team not just for the present but with an eye toward the future, ensuring they have a mix of experienced and up-and-coming players to compete at a high level.
In other news surrounding the Lakers, there has been some chatter about new head coach JJ Redick being compared to legendary NBA coach Pat Riley. However, Shaquille O’Neal recently expressed his disagreement with these comparisons. On “The Pat McAfee Show,” O’Neal voiced his objection to the idea that Redick could be the next Pat Riley. O’Neal, who played under Riley for nearly four seasons and won a championship with him in 2006 while with the Miami Heat, sees little similarity between the two.
The comparisons largely stem from Redick’s and Riley’s similar paths to becoming head coaches. Like Riley, Redick transitioned from a role in sports media to coaching after retiring as a player. However, O’Neal pointed out a significant difference: Riley spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Lakers under Paul Westhead before taking the helm, whereas Redick has never held a coaching position at the professional level prior to his current appointment with the Lakers.
Despite the skepticism, Redick will have the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong as he leads the Lakers in his first season as head coach. The team is projected to win 44.5 games in the upcoming season, a slight dip from the 47 games they won last year when they finished as the seventh seed in the Western Conference. Whether Redick can meet or exceed these expectations remains to be seen, but the Lakers’ revamped roster and young talent like Alex Fudge suggest that the team is focused on building a strong foundation for future success.
