Head coach JJ Redick has made one priority clear as he begins his first season with the Lakers: getting the roster into what he calls “championship shape.”
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Redick has emphasized that this isn’t just about conditioning for the team’s superstars, but rather a standard for the entire roster.
Still, Luka Doncic has become one of the more visible examples of this push, given his offseason commitment to fitness.
For Doncic, the focus this summer has been on reshaping his body through a combination of strict dieting and intensive workouts, something he believes is necessary not only for himself but for the group as a whole.
“It’s not just physical shape, it’s mental shape, too,” Doncic explained. “Both are very important. We’re doing it in practice. It was great. Everybody’s in great shape. Everybody’s running a lot, so it’s been great so far.”
While the Slovenian star has worked hard to improve his conditioning, he won’t be taking the floor for the Lakers’ first preseason games this weekend.
Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that the decision was a collaborative one between Doncic and the Lakers’ performance team.
Redick had already indicated that he would be cautious about overextending Doncic too early, particularly after the 26-year-old carried a heavy workload with Slovenia at EuroBasket this summer.
Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina added that Redick does anticipate Doncic playing at some point before the preseason concludes. For now, the Lakers will continue to monitor his workload carefully.
Doncic won’t be the only absence when Los Angeles faces the Suns.
LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Adou Thiero, and Maxi Kleber are also expected to sit out tonight’s contest, leaving Redick to lean on the rest of the roster as he continues to shape the team’s approach and conditioning ahead of the regular season.
Los Angeles Notes: Doncic, Fifth Starter, Lopez, Clippers Rotation https://t.co/WyUZSejeAy pic.twitter.com/uz0IAbKrcq
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 4, 2025
