JJ Redick believes the Los Angeles Lakers have a rare opportunity with LeBron James and Luka Doncic sharing the court.
Speaking at Lakers Media Day on Spectrum SportsNet, the head coach addressed the dynamic between the 40-year-old forward and the 26-year-old guard. He was asked about the idea of James passing the torch to Doncic, a theme that has followed the franchise since the blockbuster February trade.
“Well, just I think it’s an incredible opportunity for both of them,” Redick said. “Luka makes LeBron’s job easier at the later stages of his career, and then Luka gets to learn from LeBron.”
Redick noted that the pair’s first season together was interrupted by Doncic’s calf injury and the midseason trade that sent him from Dallas to Los Angeles. He explained that this year’s training camp would give them more time to build continuity, along with Austin Reaves.
“We really got into it sort of mid-March, just in terms of building our dialogue and our trust with all those guys,” Redick said. “I think there’s going to be, unlike last year, a continuation of that partnership.”
The connection between James and Doncic has drawn comparisons to earlier eras of NBA history. Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant, Bryant to James, and now potentially James to Doncic. For Redick, having that process play out within the same locker room offers the Lakers a distinct advantage.
James, entering his 23rd season, has continued to set milestones. He became the first player in league history to surpass 50,000 combined points in the regular season and playoffs in March. He also passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second place in career regular season games played in April.
Meanwhile, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 28 regular season games with the Lakers. He added 30.2 points per contest in the playoffs, including a 37-point performance in his postseason debut with the team. He signed a three-year, $165 million extension in the summer, underscoring his role in the Lakers’ long-term future.
Redick acknowledged that James can still carry stretches of games, but emphasized how the younger star helps extend his longevity. “Luka makes LeBron’s job easier,” he said.
For the Lakers, the upcoming season marks the start of a full year with their new All-NBA duo. If James continues to defy age and Doncic thrives under his guidance, the franchise could be looking at a smooth transition from one era to the next.
