JJ Redick reveals Lakers' master plan to unlock Luka Doncic

JJ Redick explained after Wednesday’s win over the Sacramento Kings that the Lakers are using a different approach to reduce the workload on Luka Doncic before he even gets the ball.

Instead of having Doncic bring the ball up the court every possession, the Lakers are using other players to advance it.

They are also setting screens to free Doncic before he receives a pass.

The goal is to spare Doncic some of the work that comes with repeatedly facing pressure on the way up the court.

“He’s doing a great job of playing off the ball,” Redick said.

This approach addresses a different part of Doncic’s workload than his shot attempts or playing time.

Another Laker can start a possession, move the defense and then deliver the ball to Doncic in position to attack.

Doncic can still make the decisive play without having to organize every step leading up to it.

The system also puts responsibility on the players around him.

A possession that starts with somebody else has to create an advantage, rather than simply delay the moment when Doncic receives the ball and has to solve the same defensive problem.

Pressure has already been an issue for this team.

After the Lakers’ October loss to Golden State, Dan Woike reported that opposing players viewed trapping and pressuring Los Angeles as an effective approach.

That gives Redick’s explanation practical significance beyond managing his star’s energy.

If opponents can determine where an offense begins, they can position their defenders accordingly.

A team that always waits for the same player to cross half court with the ball gives the defense a familiar starting point.

Using a different ball handler changes that picture.

Doncic’s defender has to account for his movement away from the ball, while the defender guarding the player advancing it has a separate job.

A screen can add another decision before Doncic begins his dribble.

There are several possible outcomes.

A defender trailing around a screen can leave room for a catch and immediate attack.

A switch can create a matchup the offense wants.

Aggressive denial can open a cut toward the basket.

None guarantees a good shot, but each gives the Lakers a way to begin without asking Doncic to create everything from a stationary position.

The tradeoff is that the supporting players must make clean decisions.

Moving the ball out of Doncic’s hands does little good if the next player cannot read the defense.

The Lakers are 7-2 to start the season, and Doncic is leading the league in scoring by a wide margin.

He is considered an early frontrunner for his first MVP award.

The Lakers’ offseason additions, including Walker Kessler, have played well so far.

Austin Reaves is also rounding back into form after a shaky start.

Redick’s plan reflects a broader understanding of how defenses are attacking the Lakers.

Teams have been trapping Doncic and pressuring the ball handler early in possessions.

By having someone else initiate the offense, the Lakers force the defense to adjust to a different starting point.

Doncic’s movement away from the ball becomes a weapon.

His defender must decide whether to follow him through screens or stay attached to a potential cutter.

The Lakers have not yet faced the league’s best defenses in this new scheme.

But the early returns are promising.

Doncic recently dropped 40 points on the Kings.

He has been on a scoring stretch that has drawn comparisons to Michael Jordan’s best runs.

The Lakers next play Friday at home in an NBA Cup game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Off the court, Doncic has also been assertive.

He joined former teammate LeBron James in issuing a cease and desist to an AI sports betting company called Bron AI.

The company had used Doncic’s likeness in an advertisement without authorization.

A source close to Doncic confirmed the legal action to Front Office Sports.