Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has shut down early-season MVP speculation surrounding Luka Doncic, insisting he won't discuss the award until at least 50 games are played. The coach's focus is squarely on integrating a retooled roster, a task showed by a 101-89 preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors on October 13. The Lakers close their exhibition schedule at home against the Denver Nuggets on October 16.
During a recent practice, Redick was informed of an annual NBA survey that did not list Luka Doncic among the top MVP choices for the upcoming season. The coach immediately dismissed its relevance. "I keep the same rule that I kept when I worked for media." Redick said. The poll instead named San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama as the favorite, followed by Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards. Even two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was absent, hinting at potential voter fatigue. For Redick, individual awards are a distant concern. His immediate priority is building a cohesive system around Doncic and Austin Reaves while incorporating new pieces like Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton.
The Lakers' preseason has been a mixed bag. After opening with a 127-103 win over Sacramento on October 5, they fell 124-98 to Golden State the next day. They edged the Kings 114-110 on October 8 before the recent loss to the Warriors. These games are a laboratory for Redick. He's tasked with developing a championship-level team despite the departure of LeBron James and a title drought dating to 2020. Some analysts are skeptical. Former NBA player Eddie Johnson questioned the roster's depth on a podcast, stating, "if you're gonna have a championship team, you better have three guys at least that you can count on." He wondered who steps up if Doncic or Reaves are compromised, a concern made real last April when Doncic's grade 2 hamstring injury derailed his MVP campaign and the team's momentum.
All attention now turns to the final preseason test against the Denver Nuggets. It's a last chance for players like Kessler and Sexton, who have missed time with fitness issues, to make an impression before the real games begin. Redick's challenge is to prove the supporting cast can raise the team. He believes in the group's ability to gel, but the proof will be in their performance on the court. The coach's refusal to engage in award talk is a clear signal. Success for the 2026-27 Los Angeles Lakers will be measured by wins, chemistry, and playoff positioning, not early individual accolades. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matchups on our schedule page throughout the season.
