JJ Redick says the Lakers’ preseason start gives reason for optimism, even as wins are still “meaningless”

JJ Redick’s takeaway from the Lakers’ early preseason run is straightforward: the team looks better than it has in the early phases of prior stretches, and that is creating real optimism. In remarks reported by Yahoo Sports on October 11, Redick pointed to the Lakers being “in a good spot” so far, emphasizing that the early rhythm matters for confidence and day-to-day execution.

At the same time, Redick stressed a principle the NBA has learned to repeat every October. Preseason outcomes are thoroughly meaningless. Lineups are constantly changing as teams manage health, rotate through roles, and test different combinations in search of regular-season matchups. In that environment, wins and losses can reflect substitutions more than they reflect true team strength.

The bigger theme in Redick’s comments is what teams are actually trying to build during preseason. Coaches and players use these games to tighten communication on both ends, refine sets and defensive calls, and calibrate how quickly teammates can adjust when the game changes. If the Lakers’ early work has translated into a consistent look, Redick’s optimism suggests it has been noticeable even through the constant churn that preseason brings.

For the Lakers, that balance between confidence and caution is particularly relevant. The preseason is also where expectations start taking shape inside the organization and among fans. A strong start can make training-camp progress feel tangible, while a sluggish one can lead to premature conclusions. Redick’s point pushes back against the temptation to treat a preseason record as a forecast, arguing instead for process-based evaluation.

Redick’s comments also fit the reality of how roles solidify. As the regular season approaches, coaching staffs typically narrow rotations, assign clearer responsibilities, and reduce the number of lineup experiments. Preseason games are where that narrowing begins, but it is not finished, which is why Redick’s caution matters. The early positives can be real, but they are not destiny.

What to watch next is whether the Lakers can carry the same cohesion into the later preseason stages, when fewer lineups are being tested and more established units begin to get run. Even if the results remain secondary, the continuity of effort, defensive organization, and offensive decision-making should become clearer as the schedule moves closer to opening night.

Redick’s optimism, then, is best read as a statement about early tempo and synchronization, not a claim about the Lakers’ final form. Preseason can reveal whether fundamentals are in place, but it cannot prove who will handle the long stretch of injuries, matchups, and adjustments that defines a full NBA season.