JJ Redick and Luka Dončić On Same Page Since Day One

Some months ago, JJ Redick hosted Luka Dončić on his widely popular podcast The Old Man and the Three (now titled The Young Man and the Three, hosted by Redick’s ex-co-host Tommy Alter). It was the second time he had guested on the show. Running back the last, most recent episode, JJ threw some challenging questions Luka’s way, which made for an interesting conversation. Of course, the conversation between the two men picked up again the day Dončić arrived in Los Angeles. For Redick, it was important to set the tone from the get-go. For Luka, it was important to say yes.

JJ Redick and Luka Dončić On Same Page Since Day One

Lakers’ JJ Redick Went From Hard Podcast Questions to Hard Coaching With Luka Dončić; Luka said ‘Yes’ To Everything

‘Yes’ was precisely how Luka responded to Redick’s questions when they first met and spoke after the trade. Both men had a pre-existing relationship, which likely made things more comfortable. Not only did they have a podcast episode together, but they also played together as teammates for a short time in Dallas. However, this new coach and player dynamic called for a different set of rules. Redick ensured that when welcoming his once-teammate to his team, he made sure Luka would be fine with being coached the way Redick coaches. Before the Lakers-Mavericks tipoff on Tuesday night, Redick spoke with the media earlier in a pregame press conference where the subject of the first conversation he had with Luka came up.

“Him and I communicated the very first day he got to LA,” Redick said. “It was just like, ‘Are you comfortable being coached with honesty?’ And he said, ‘Yes.’ Are you comfortable being coached with direct communication?’ He said, ‘Yes, that’s what I want.’ I said, ‘Okay, great, then you and I are gonna be good,’ and it has been.”

JJ Redick said that he talked to Luka Doncic when he first got to LA and asked if he had the green light to coach Luka with brutal honesty and Luka agreed. #Lakeshow pic.twitter.com/9uu8Z8jv5h

— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) February 26, 2025

It seems like a simple conversation, but there is much behind it. Redick is already no ordinary NBA head coach. He’s got fire, passion, and emotion, and he shows it. He also expects a lot from his players, from LeBron James to whichever G League player gets awarded a few garbage minutes in a blow-out game. Dončić is a great player, but even the great ones need hard coaching. Under JJ, that’s the reality for Luka in the future. It would appear that he’s accepting of that, which bodes well for the Lakers franchise moving forward.

Can Luka Make JJ Coach of the Year?

If Redick did win coach of the year, it wouldn’t be only because of Dončić, of course. That being said, JJ’s name didn’t come up in the conversation only until after the Lakers traded for Luka. The fortunes of the purple and gold shifted dramatically the day he arrived. So, considering the streak LA is currently on, how Luka is playing with LeBron, and the trajectory the Lakers are heading in if you ask Stephen A. Smith, it all warrants coach of the year consideration for JJ. The first-year head coach definitely has something to do with getting Luka to produce alongside LeBron as quickly as they have. If JJ leads the Lakers to the finals, there’s no question he should be considered.