JJ Redick offered an encouraging assessment of the Los Angeles Lakers’ health Tuesday, even with a couple of players limited during training camp.
“There are no concerns health-wise,” Redick said.
The Lakers coach expects the players who were held out of contact to be ready for that work this week.
Nobody sat out the session entirely. Redick did not identify the players who skipped contact, leaving their individual situations unspecified.
JJ Redick said every Lakers player participated in camp today, but a couple of players didn’t take part in the contact portion. He didn’t name the players but clarified those players are expected to take part in contact later in the week.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) September 29, 2026
The teamwide update follows Luka Doncic’s comments Monday about entering camp without restrictions after last season’s hamstring injury.
JJ Redick says Lakers players must earn their minutes
The health outlook matters beyond having players on the practice floor. With roles still available, contact work gives Redick a chance to compare how different groups function against a defense.
Asked Tuesday about the starting lineup and rotation, Redick described opportunities that would extend beyond camp.
Redick expects roles to change during the season, with chances for players to break through even when injuries do not force an adjustment.
“It’s a meritocracy. You really have to earn your minutes,” Redick said.
Asked about starting spots and the rotation, Redick said it’s something that by nature in the NBA is fluid as the year goes on. Everyone will get an opportunity, and not just due to inevitable injuries:
“It’s a meritocracy. You really have to earn your minutes.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 29, 2026
Redick had identified Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler as his likely starters Thursday. That left the Lakers with two starting positions to sort out around that group.
Quentin Grimes has already made his goal clear. Grimes intends to pursue a starting job in camp, giving Redick one declared challenger as the evaluation begins.
Quentin Grimes said he wants to start this year and plans on competing in camp for one of the two vacant starting spots.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) September 28, 2026
For those decisions, the value of full participation would be the ability to test players together: who creates space for Doncic, who handles perimeter assignments and which combinations work at both ends. Tuesday’s health update suggests Redick expects to have more of those options available soon.
The next health checkpoint is whether the limited players make the progression Redick outlined later this week.
