The Los Angeles Lakers took a surprising gamble for the now and the future by trading for Luka Doncic in a blockbuster deal before the deadline. Given Doncic’s shocking availability on the trade market, L.A. could not pass up on that opportunity.
As the Lakers head into All-Star break to prepare for another late-season push to solidify their playoff seeding, head coach JJ Redick is given a tough task. He has to try and fit in a top-three star to his team in Doncic while also keeping things rolling as they have been playing extremely well in recent weeks. So, trying to fit in an unselfish superstar presents a great challenge for Redick and his staff.
Now that the five-time All-NBA guard got two games under his belt, he is beginning to see what his new head coach wants to accomplish offensively. Despite an ugly showing against the Utah Jazz on Thursday heading into the break, Doncic spoke highly of Redick, who he played with in Dallas, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“Great. He’s a great coach. I know it’s only his first year, but it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like he’s been here for 15 years. So props to him and I can’t wait to be coached more by him.”
This is telling for how things are going so far because moving teams mid-season is never easy, especially for Doncic, who thought he remain a Dallas Maverick for his entire career. However, having that familiarity with Redick dating back to a little stint with the Mavericks helps both parties hit the ground running.
The 25-year-old star will have to adjust playing off the ball more with LeBron James and Austin Reaves being capable on-ball creators. But, the vision is there up to this point offensively with Doncic being involved in actions when he does not have the ball.
It is safe to assume more hurdles are coming L.A.’s way, presumably defensively, as trading away Anthony Davis and Max Christie hurt their defensive personnel. Although, when Doncic, James and Reaves are playing off of one another, Redick could find himself with a high-caliber offense come playoff time.
Luka Doncic looking forward to ‘mental break’ during All-Star weekend
The All-Star break could not have come at a better time for Luka Doncic as he had to deal with all sorts of emotion since the blockbuster trade. Admittedly, Doncic is ready to have a ‘mental health’ break as the Lakers are off for a week before they return to action.
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