Without outright saying so, Lakers coach JJ Redick has been hesitant to compare this year’s version of his team to last year’s. Although there’s continuity on the roster, with nine players who ended last season with the Lakers on this year’s team, important changes were made with the offseason additions of Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, in addition to the pre-trade deadline addition of Luke Kennard . There’s also been the continued emergence of Austin Reaves and improved fitness