Join Allen Sliwa for Hoops Talk as the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the 2026-27 NBA season. We dive into JJ Redick entering his third season as Lakers head coach, the team’s focus on establishing a defensive identity, and the competition between Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy for a key roster role.

Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times joins the show to discuss the latest Lakers news, training camp storylines, roster competition, JJ Redick, and what to expect from the Lakers heading into the regular season.

Topics include:
• JJ Redick entering his 3rd season with the Lakers
• Lakers working to establish a defensive identity
• Dalton Knecht vs. Jaden Hardy
• Lakers roster and rotation competition
• Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times on the Lakers
• 2026-27 Lakers season expectations

0:00 – Intro | Listener comments

7:46 – JJ Redick heading into his 3rd year as head coach

15:45 – Guest: Brad Turner – LA Times

17:30 – Brad talks about the Lakers being sold while he was on vacation

19:39 – When does Brad expect the Lakers sale to be official?

25:35 – Brad’s thoughts on JJ Redick entering his 3rd year as head coach

30:57 – Should the Lakers have made a stronger push to keep LeBron?

33:25 – How do the Lakers consolidate their roster & Dalton Knecht’s future

38:26 – Do the Lakers need another center or a power forward?

40:25 – What is the Lakers defensive identity going to be?

43:20 – Brad is looking forward to watching 2 specific players

45:00 – Who is making the new hires in the Lakers front office right now?

47:40 – Ziaire Williams talking about the Lakers wing defenders

50:00 – Listener comments

52:42 – More on the Lakers final roster spot coming down to Knecht vs. Hardy

55:42 – Lakers hire new PA announcer Derrin Horton

56:52 – NBA News | Listener comments

Photo Credit: https://montezzallen313.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/qa-with-former-lakers-beat-writer-brad-turner/ + Juan Ocampo/NBAE/Getty Images  + https://www.reddit.com/r/lakers/comments/1h35l8z/dalton_knecht_despite_the_loss_6_threes_led_the/