NEWSLETTER
While no final decision has been made yet, it seems like JJ Redick is the likely choice to be the Lakers’ next head coach.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday that LA has been focused on two candidates – Redick and Pelicans’ assistant James Borrego – for the last few weeks, but it appears that it will be Redick who gets the job barring a swerve.
JJ Redick Likely The Lakers Next Head Coach
The Redick hire is an interesting one for sure. There’s no doubt about his knowledge of the game. He’s one of the top NBA analysts in the business, he played in the association for 15 years and it sounds like he has an endorsement from his former Duke head coach and college basketball legend Mike Krzyzewski. The legendary leader has a history with not only the Lakers – who almost hired him in the early 2000s – but has a very solid relationship with LeBron James from their time together in the Olympics.
With regards to why the Lakers like Redick, Charania had this to say:
“The Lakers have been seeking a coach who has the potential and staying power to be their head man for now and the long-term, as someone who will command the locker room and hold players accountable, as well as tirelessly gameplan and provide a level of structure and organization, according to those sources. It’s believed the franchise views Redick as the candidate who can check those boxes.”
Shams Charania
Whether or not it works, the Redick hire will be fascinating. On one hand, as mentioned he’s a very smart, knowledgable basketball mind. On the other hand, he’s never been a head coach and would be taking over LeBron James. Being the head coach of a “superteam” is often a thankless job. When the team wins, it’s usually because the stars were great, and when the team loses, the blame often falls first and foremost at the feet of the head coach.
While Redick is a veteran of the NBA and likely has respect in that locker room, his standing as LeBron’s podcast co-host might also not go over super well with some.
Nothing is official yet, but it’s likely that if the Lakers go this direction they would wait to make the hiring official until after the NBA Finals. Redick covers the NBA Finals for ESPN and ABC, so they probably would allow him to do that before making the hire.
It’s not the first NBA head coaching interest Redick has received. Last year, he reportedly interviewed with the Raptors for their vacancy, and earlier this season the Hornets expressed interest.
