Lakers' JJ Redick Preaches Patience Despite Early Playoff Exit

Despite the expectations laid on his team after a trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, head coach JJ Redick insisted that star players take time to settle after his team's first-round loss in the NBA Playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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“These things take time, particularly with the star players,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said to The Athletic at his exit interview two weeks ago. “There’s a reason in modern NBA history, go back the last 30, 40 years, there’s been a handful or less than a handful of All-Star players traded in season that led directly to a championship. … I think there’s value in repetition. And frankly, we didn’t get a ton of repetition, and that’s the nature of making an in-season trade.”

A strong 18-12 split after the All-Star game powered the 17-time champions from fifth to third place in a highly competitive Western Conference, but they fell in the playoffs in just five games. The Lakers have clearly missed a big man since dealing Anthony Davis to the Mavs, as was evident in Game 5 when Rudy Gobert took over with 27 points and 24 rebounds, his first 20/20 game since moving to Minnesota.

Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka noted that addressing this issue during the offseason was a priority for his club.

“We just didn’t have the time after the Luka trade,” Pelinka said. “But now we do. That’s the good news. … And the one thing we know about the NBA is there’s always new and unexpected opportunities around the corner. That’s just the nature of this business. And my focus is gonna be on that and making sure that next year we have the requisite size to have a team that can compete for a championship.”

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Although Lebron James will be turning 41 next season, the Lakers' young duo of Austin Reaves and Doncic, both of whom are 26, sets the foundation of a team that will only come back stronger with a productive offseason. Despite a change of scenery, Doncic's 28.2/8.1/7.5 averages don't deviate too far from the magic he displayed in Dallas.

If the Lakers' front office stays true to their word and delivers key pieces to Los Angeles, the Lakers will be primed to contend for a long time to come.

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