JJ Redick has reasons to feel encouraged about the Los Angeles Lakers. He also has enough film to keep their next practices busy.

Following Thursday’s 114-110 preseason victory over the Sacramento Kings, Redick expressed confidence in the team’s progress with two exhibition games remaining. The Lakers improved to 2-1, adding another win against Sacramento after losing to the Golden State Warriors.

“I like where we’re at,” Redick said.

That assessment carries more weight when viewed alongside what still needs fixing. The Lakers allowed 20 offensive rebounds and committed 24 turnovers against Sacramento. Winning did not erase those problems, but Redick’s reaction suggests he sees a group developing while working through them.

For a roster learning how to play together, that is a reasonable place to be in early October. The next step is turning encouraging stretches into possessions the Lakers can consistently reproduce.

One priority Redick identified was extending players beyond the roughly 20-to-21-minute range as their preparation continues.

Longer stretches create different demands than brief preseason appearances. Players have to maintain their defensive positioning, communicate through fatigue and execute after opponents have had time to adjust.

Those minutes also give Redick a better opportunity to evaluate combinations. A lineup that produces a few open shots still needs to show it can rebound, protect the ball and recover when its first action breaks down.

Thursday brought Austin Reaves back alongside Luka Dončić. Reaves finished with eight points, five rebounds and eight assists, while Dončić scored 23 points in approximately 25 minutes. Their shared playmaking gives the Lakers multiple ways to initiate offense and respond when defenses load up on one ball-handler.

The surrounding players must learn when to screen, cut or stay available for a pass. More game time should help establish those reads before regular-season possessions become less forgiving.

The problems against Sacramento were significant because they limited what otherwise productive possessions could accomplish.

A successful defensive stop loses its value when the opponent collects the rebound. An offense with multiple creators can still struggle if turnovers prevent it from getting a shot.

Those are useful measures for the remaining preseason games. The Lakers do not need a flawless exhibition performance, but they should show better control of the details that repeatedly decide close games.

Redick’s optimism also should not be treated as a declaration that the rotation is settled. Increasing minutes and evaluating combinations are part of determining which groups can handle responsibilities on both ends.

The Lakers have shown enough to give their coach confidence. Now they need cleaner possessions to support it.

Their next two games offer a chance to demonstrate that progress through sharper execution, particularly when the initial excitement gives way to longer shifts and more demanding stretches.