JJ Redick made a massive statement following the Los Angeles Lakers’ premature exit from the 2025 NBA Playoffs that easily could have rubbed some shoulders the wrong way.

Instead, it may have actually galvanized the rejuvenation of Luka Doncic.

Redick openly discussed the need for the Lakers to get in ‘championship shape’ after their first-round elimination to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The head coach did not name anymore specifically, but many had felt Doncic was the primary target of this criticism.

Redick stated, “We have a ways to go as a roster, and certainly there are individuals that were in phenomenal shape, there’s certainly other ones that could’ve been in better shape. That’s where my mind goes immediately.”

The message was heard and received. The biggest buzz of the Lakers offseason has not been the signing of DeAndre Ayton, or Marcus Smart, it has been that of the incredible body transformation Doncic experienced over the summer.

JJ Redick was always the perfect coach for Luka Doncic

Redick and Doncic briefly crossed paths in Texas during the coach’s last year in the NBA. Redick spent the second half of his 2020-21 campaign with the Dallas Mavericks and a young Luka.

The two clearly built a good rapport when they had the opportunity to spend time together. Doncic became a multi-time visitor of Redick’s podcast before the retired sharpshooter transitioned from media to coaching.

Their reunion in Los Angeles has created the type of spark that has not been seen with Doncic’s previous bench bosses in the NBA. Rick Carlisle and Jason Kidd both lacked the ability to truly motivate the superstar point guard as Redick has with this instance.

When Carlisle exited from the Mavericks, Doncic did not appear too distraught. Tim MacMahon reported back in 2021 that Luka was not a fan of the treatment his former coach had towards the players in the organization.

Kidd’s relationship with Doncic was not the stuff of fairy tales either. Many made note of how the Lakers superstar snubbed his old coach when matching up against the Mavericks for the first time after the blockbuster trade.

Redick, meanwhile, may have been blunt with his subtle shot. The jury can still be out on whether it was indeed intended for Doncic. However, the result of those comments remain all the same.

The duo should be intertwined for quite some time in Los Angeles, especially if all goes well in the near future. Doncic and Redick maintaining a strong relationship should be a big point of optimism for what the pair can bring to the Lakers.