JJ Redick Loves What He Sees From Luka Doncic in Training Camp

Luka Dončić’s first preseason appearance gave the Los Angeles Lakers an encouraging starting point.

He scored 21 points in 16 minutes during Monday’s 127-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings, quickly reminding the team how much offense he can generate in a short stretch.

For JJ Redick, however, the encouraging signs began before the preseason opener. The Lakers coach has been pleased with Dončić’s conditioning and the progress he has made while working back into a competitive rhythm.

That combination is central to L.A.’s preparation. Dončić can dictate possessions with his scoring and passing, but the Lakers need him ready to handle the demands of running their offense all season.

“He’s great physically. The guy worked his butt off all summer,” Redick said.

Redick pointed to running and sprint work as part of Dončić’s summer preparation. He also explained that the guard intentionally played less live basketball than he typically does during the offseason.

The distinction matters. Conditioning work can prepare a player for repeated efforts, but game timing requires possessions against defenders: reading help, adjusting to contact and recognizing when a passing window will open.

For Dončić, preseason offers a chance to bring those elements together before the results begin counting.

His performance against Sacramento was a promising first step. Producing that much offense in limited minutes gave the Lakers an early example of what their attack can look like with him back on the floor.

It also creates a useful setting for evaluating teammates. Players sharing the court with Dončić need to recognize when to cut, where to space and how quickly to act once he delivers the ball.

The more comfortable those connections become, the less the offense has to depend on difficult individual shots late in possessions.

Redick said Dončić has gradually improved his rhythm throughout camp, with preseason serving as an opportunity to continue developing his game conditioning and offensive timing.

That progression deserves more attention than any single exhibition scoring total. A productive half is encouraging, but the next step is sustaining his effectiveness as playing time increases and opponents present different defensive looks.

For the Lakers, that means watching how possessions develop around him. Are teammates creating useful passing options? Can they keep the ball moving after the initial advantage? Does the group maintain its organization when a preferred action is taken away?

Those questions will help reveal whether the offense is developing reliable habits.

Dončić’s preparation also gives Redick a strong starting point for setting expectations. When the player carrying the largest offensive responsibility arrives ready to work, it supports the demands placed on the rest of the roster.

There is still plenty to establish before opening night. The Lakers need time together, clearer rotation combinations and consistent execution on both ends.

But Dončić’s conditioning and early production give them something substantial to build around as preseason continues.