Having a defined NBA position is something that is far less important now than it was a decade or two ago. The best NBA coaches will look to prioritize complimentary skill sets and let that take matter more than a traditional designation. JJ Redick is certainly one of those types of NBA bench bosses.
Redick said as much in an interview with ESPN LA in late September. When appearing on the Mason & Ireland show, the third-year coach highlighted a conversation he had with Sandro Mamukelashvili about viewing him as a basketball player over any designated position.
If that was not enough proof, last season's on-court product was. The Los Angeles Lakers were at their best deploying three "guards" in the starting lineup with Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, and Austin Reaves. 2026-27 should be a similar story if Quentin Grimes does end up winning one of the starting spots in Los Angeles.
For Redick, his ability to execute those tactics gets made so much easier because of who his franchise player is. Doncic operates as a point guard on offense, but he then flips to a forward on defense. Trying to pin down an exact label for Luka's position would be a fruitless endeavor.
Not even the NBA General Managers could truly agree on what to call Doncic.
NBA GM Survey highlighted just how versatile Luka Doncic is
The annual NBA GM Survey was released on Thursday. It is always one of the most fun traditions the league has, allowing fans and media alike a look at what the front office execs in the league are thinking ahead of a new season of basketball. They were decisively split on what Doncic plays.
Luka received votes as the best point guard, coming in at third. The Lakers superstar also received consideration as the best shooting guard in the league, similarly placing third.
Ultimately, the GMs thought small forward was the best way to define Doncic. That was the position at which Luka claimed the number one spot. The Slovenian superstar received 37 percent of the vote to edge out Jayson Tatum (33 percent) for first.
Clearly, wherever Doncic is being deployed between those spots, there is at least one GM out there who thinks he is the best at that position. That speaks mightily to the weapon that Redick has at his disposal for 2026-27. Luka's versatility is a blessing.
This upcoming campaign should feature Doncic being used just about anywhere, besides for center. Not every coach gets that type of luxury. Redick does.
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