Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made a comment on Thursday about the shape of his players that may have just vindicated the Dallas Mavericks for trading Luka Doncic in February.
To the surprise of many NBA fans, the Lakers were ousted from the playoffs much earlier than expected. Their 103-96 loss on Wednesday to the Minnesota Timberwolves has led to speculation on who’s to blame and what they have to do in the summer to improve as a team. Well, it seems that their head coach has one idea.
“During his end-of-season remarks, JJ Redick, without naming names, says the roster must ‘get in championship shape’ during the offseason,” ESPN NBA insider Dave McMenamin wrote in a Thursday post on X.
For those who somehow missed the endless stories on why the Mavericks shockingly traded their top star, the biggest issue Dallas general manager Nico Harrison allegedly had with the five-time All-Star was his dedication to his body. As NBA fans have seen for the last two decades with LeBron James, being in elite shape can aid a player in having a very long and dominant run in the sport.
Luka Doncic stats (2024-25): 28.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 38% 3PT
However, rumors have followed the 26-year-old for several years about his lack of being in tip-top physical shape each season. Some inside the Mavericks organization wondered if it was a reason why he’s started to get injured more frequently. Furthermore, he has long preferred to lean on his own trainers instead of the ones provided by the team.
In the end, many have rolled their eyes at the reasoning. Claiming it is Luka being Luka, and reaching two Western Conference Finals and the NBA Finals last year is proof that he must be doing something right. Redick didn’t specifically name Doncic. However, the Los Angeles Lakers head coach has to know how that comment might be perceived in the media.
Especially, after Luka Doncic seemed in poor health in multiple ways throughout their five-game series against the Wolves. It will be interesting to see if being traded by the franchise he loved, losing in the first round of the playoffs, and being teammates with James lights an offseason fire he has always seemed to lack.
More Los Angeles Lakers news and rumors:
- One of Los Angeles Lakers top trade chips has lost a lot of value around the NBA
- More evidence emerges LeBron James plans to do Los Angeles Lakers a huge favor this summer
- Staggering costs for Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks ticket prices in Luka Doncic’s return
