JJ Redick Jokes About Luka Doncic's Offseason Conditioning

Luka Doncic walked into Los Angeles Lakers training camp this fall leaner than he has looked since his 2018 rookie season, and head coach JJ Redick could not let the transformation pass without a needle.

"He's great physically. The guy worked his butt off all summer, on staying in shape. And actually ran this summer. Like, he actually did like sprints and stuff. Came into camp in fantastic shape," Redick told reporters Monday, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater, as reported by the New York Post.

The line landed as both a compliment and a dig, a nod to the conditioning questions that have trailed the 27-year-old guard for much of his career.

What Did Redick Actually Say About Doncic's Fitness?

Redick's comment framed Doncic's summer as unusual by his own standards. "For someone who normally plays a ton of live basketball, he didn't do as much of that this summer, by design," the coach said, per the Post's account of Slater's reporting. Redick added that the Lakers have watched Doncic "literally every day in camp, incrementally getting more and more in rhythm," calling that buildup the preseason goal as he develops "game shape" and "offensive rhythm."

How Did the Conditioning Show Up on the Court?

The emphasis on rest and conditioning over live-game reps had an immediate payoff Monday night. Doncic scored 21 points in 16 minutes as the Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings, 127-103, in a preseason game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, the Post reported.

By the Numbers

• 21 points scored by Doncic in 16 minutes of action against Sacramento.
• 127-103 final score in the Lakers' preseason win over the Kings.

Why Has Doncic's Weight Been a Storyline Before?

Doncic's conditioning has drawn scrutiny throughout his career, and the Post noted he is currently as lean as he has been since his rookie season. That history is what gave Redick's otherwise glowing assessment its edge — praising the work while implicitly acknowledging it had not always looked this way.

What Changed in Doncic's Summer Routine?

According to Redick, the shift was deliberate: fewer pickup games and scrimmages, more structured conditioning work, including sprint training. The approach traded Doncic's usual summer habit of logging heavy minutes in exhibitions and pro-am settings for a program built around building a base before camp, then layering game rhythm back in during the preseason slate.

What Comes Next for Doncic and the Lakers?

Redick's stated goal — using the preseason to let Doncic "build that game shape" and "offensive rhythm" incrementally — suggests the staff is treating these exhibition minutes as a conditioning ramp rather than a finished product. Monday's scoring output against Sacramento gave an early read on how that approach is translating once the ball goes up for real possessions, with more preseason games ahead before the Lakers' regular-season opener.