Lakers renewed their contract with coach Redick in advance, Pelinka says it has shaped the team s outstanding culture

Translator's note: The original text was published in the Los Angeles Times. The data in the article were as of the time of the original text (September 25 local time). The dates and times involved were all local time

The Lakers started their offseason with a grand press conference. At the meeting, they signed an early contract renewal with the team's star players. The press conference not only played Balkan-style entrance music, but also showed the photo wall of Luka Doncic's best moments during the Lakers era. And on Thursday, the team announced their continued commitment to the head coach.

As the Lakers will start training camp next Tuesday, Lakers general manager Robert Pelinka announced at a press conference with the head coach that head coach JJ Redick has signed an early contract renewal.

Last year, as a rookie head coach, Redick signed a four-year, $32 million contract and led the Lakers to a regular season record of 50 wins and 32 losses, and entered the playoffs as the third seed in the West, but lost to the Timberwolves in the first round. Details of the new contract were not disclosed.

"We think he is a special coach with a special ethos and really helps us define the Lakers' excellent culture," Pelinka said. "We just want to make it clear, that's what we believe in, what we rely on, and the culture we hope that players will fit into it in the process of shaping the qualities of the team. I think it's very helpful to have long-term planning as we build this team and move forward." Redick's early contract renewal is one of the highlights of "a clear and productive offseason" in Perlinka's vocals. The Lakers promoted the high-profile important signings such as center DeAndre Ayton and outside players Marcus Smart and Jack Laravia, all of which were carefully selected to match Doncic and LeBron James.

James executed the player option for the last year of his contract, while Doncic signed a three-year early contract extension on August the first day the Lakers could offer early contract renewal.

Doncic and James will join in their first full season together after a big mid-season deal in February bringing the former Mavericks player to Los Angeles, but there are also questions about how the Lakers can best balance 40-year-old James and his 26-year-old star teammates.

Redick said he had two productive face-to-face meetings with James this offseason, and he will oversee the league's most watched handover of power.

Redick recognizes that joining the Lakers has brought on constant pressure. At the time, he was still transforming from a commentator to a coach, while moving, organizing new schools for the kids and adapting to a mid-season deal with earthquake magnitude. Reddick had little time to reflect or digest in his first season.

After the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, Reddick stopped to think about his new career. He spent weeks thinking about how to define his coaching philosophy and method. He is looking for answers in a meeting with Rams head coach Sean McVeigh, former NFL quarterback Tom Brady and Brady's coach Bill Belichick when he was in the New England Patriots.

By talking to them, Redick came up with a simple strategy to achieve success.

"We will require players to have championship-level body shape, championship-level communication and championship-level habits," Redick said. "It requires day after day." Redick said that James has always been committed to these guidelines and he will start his unprecedented 23rd NBA season next week. Doncic followed closely behind.

After special reports on mainstream magazines such as Men's Health and Wall Street Journal, the Slovenian superstar's reshaping slim figure became a hot topic in the NBA summer. The offseason effort paid off in the Men's Basketball European Championship, and Doncic averaged 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game as the Slovenian men's basketball team reached the quarter-finals. He was selected for the best team in the event.

Pellinka had previously traveled to Poland. He not only watched Doncic's game, but also inspected the training of the Slovenian men's basketball team. Pelinka was as impressed by Doncic’s habits as he did on the court.

"He not only sets an example, but also makes clear demands on the expectations, play and solidarity of the team in training," Pelinka said. "I was really impressed to see him continue to evolve and grow as a leader who is good at speaking."

Redick noticed Doncic's advancements in movement and defense in European courts, and the coach expects to see the star defender perform equally well in the NBA.

"I look forward to seeing the strongest Luca," Redick said. "And as a coach, my job is to inspire his best every day."

Author: Thuc Nhi Nguyen

Translator: GWayNe