JJ Redick Expects Championships From Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves-Led Lakers

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have high expectations from their head coach, JJ Redick.

JJ Redick Expects Championships From Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves-Led Lakers

JJ Redick, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic (Image credits - ClutchPoints)

The Los Angeles Lakers are officially entering the Luka Doncic era. After LeBron James parted ways with the organization, the team entered a rebuilding phase. ‘King James’ led the Lakers for eight years and led them to a championship in 2020.

The Lakers have not reached the NBA Finals since lifting the title in 2020. Their best result came in 2022 when they reached the Western Conference Finals. However, since Doncic’s arrival at the trade deadline last year, they were eliminated in the first and second rounds of the playoffs.

An important 2026-27 campaign awaits Redick and his men. There were a lot of doubts when the Lakers hired Redick in 2024 as he was given the role of a head coach without any prior experience in the NBA.

However, Redick has done a fine job in his first two seasons. He has led the Lakers to two consecutive seasons with 50+ wins in the regular season. It has seen him join the likes of Pat Riley and Phil Jackson as the only Lakers head coaches to do so.

Unfortunately, the ex-NBA star has not been able to translate his success into the postseason. The Lakers have revamped their roster in the summer and the jury is still out on it. While some are optimistic about their chances to go all the way, some see them as an overrated team.

Many do not see the Lakers as championship contenders in the upcoming season but Redick expects the likes of Doncic and Austin Reaves to turn them into a championship team.

Being a championship level team, I don’t like the word ‘contender’, but being a team that can make a run and play in the playoffs and play different ways in the playoffs. But I think, because of our talent, because of our fit, because of our depth, I really like our team.

JJ Redick via Connor Moreno

With the Slovenian star as the centerpiece of the franchise, the Lakers have built their team around him. The camaraderie and vibes surrounding the team is very high at the moment and Redick believes his team has the top-end talent, chemistry, and depth to challenge any team in the Western Conference.

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The Lakers have showed uneven form in their preseason games so far. They have played four preseason games, and have won two and lose two. Their two wins came against the Sacramento Kings and their two losses were against the Golden State Warriors.

The sentiment is mixed regarding the Lakers being title contenders next year, but there seems to be a high level of optimism and excitement within the franchise.

They may not be loaded with star power but they have a lot of faith in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Following their loss to the Warriors, Redick highlighted his team’s flaws while speaking to reporters.

I’d like us to do a better job of taking care of the basketball. I’d like us to do a better job on the defensive glass. It’s those two things: showing improvement there, and a heightened awareness. Defensively, we did three different box-out drills in practice. That was a point of emphasis for us today.

JJ Redick to reporters

The Lakers will take on the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. It will be their final preseason game before they take on the Warriors on October 21.

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JJ Redick speaks on Luka Doncic’s absence from the NBA GM survey’s MVP picks

Luka Doncic is heading into his ninth season in the NBA. Since entering the league in 2018, Doncic has elevated himself as one of the best players in the world. While he was left disappointed after his trade to the Lakers, he did not take long to win the fans over with his performances.

As the Slovenian superstar looks to win his first championship, the Lakers guard is yet to win the MVP award as well.

Doncic was left without a single vote in the NBA GM Survey MVP prediction for the 2026-27 season. When asked about the awards voting, JJ Redick kept it blunt and simple.

I keep the same rule that I kept when I worked for media. I don’t want to talk about MVP until at least 50 games into the season.

JJ Redick to the reporters

Doncic is coming off a fourth place finish in the MVP race last season. Based on the NBA GM Survey, Victor Wembanyama is seen as the heavy favorite to win the award next season.

Wemby is followed by Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards on the list. Doncic led the scoring last season and is looking fitter than ever ahead of the new campaign.

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