Luka Doncic is settling into his new role with the Lakers, and it appears JJ Redick has played a key role in that adjustment. The former Mavericks star has led the team to 10 wins in 15 games, including a seven-game winning streak under Redick’s guidance.
Doncic is averaging 26.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists with a 40.0% field goal percentage (33.6% from three-point range) in his early Lakers tenure. The transition was unexpected following a shocking trade, but Redick’s strategic approach has complemented Doncic’s playstyle well.
After a 125-109 win over the Spurs, Doncic credited Redick’s coaching, which some interpreted as a veiled jab at his former coach, Jason Kidd.
“Makes my life easier,” Doncic stated (2:38). “Those actions that he put … There was one ATO (after timeout) today, where we ran it twice and we just scored on alley-oops, so that explains JJ’s mind. The way he sees basketball, it’s amazing.”
Redick has allowed Doncic to control the offense while implementing structured plays that cater to his strengths. The Lakers’ ball movement was evident, with 34 assists on 44 made field goals and a 19-of-48 three-point shooting performance. Doncic himself recorded 14 assists, 21 points, and 9 rebounds while committing just three turnovers.
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Doncic’s Struggles Under Jason Kidd’s Off-Ball System
Before his trade, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd attempted to introduce an off-ball role for Doncic—something the superstar had rarely done throughout his career. Given his dominance in scoring and playmaking, Doncic has traditionally been the focal point of any offense he’s played in.
However, Kidd believed it was in the Mavericks’ best interest for Doncic to adapt.
“Just overall. Just playing without the ball. Just all of it,” Doncic admitted in November when discussing the transition.
Later, Kidd emphasized his desire for the team to maintain a faster pace, even when Doncic returned from injury.
“Normally you take a step back to wait on him,” Kidd explained. “We’ve gotta continue to keep pushing the pace. He’ll find a way to make it work. We’re excited to hopefully have him back shortly.”
Following an injury in his final game with the Mavericks, Doncic was traded in February. Under Redick’s system, he has thrived in a more fluid offensive setup, where he can still dictate the pace while benefiting from improved player movement. Redick has designed plays to minimize Doncic’s energy expenditure while maximizing his impact, aided by LeBron James and Austin Reaves making adjustments to ensure a smooth transition.
