The Los Angeles Lakers have finally made a decision on their next head coach.
After being turned down by their #1 target, UConn’s Dan Hurley, the Lakers turned their attention back to ESPN analyst JJ Redick.
Sure enough, the two parties have come to terms on a four-year deal – and just like that, the 15-year NBA veteran takes over the helm of one of the most prestigious organizations in all of sports.
Redick is undoubtedly a sharp basketball mind.
Anyone who’s heard him talk about basketball strategy is well-aware that the respected hoops-lifer understands the game on a higher level than most.
Having said that, Redick has zero coaching experience which is a major concern among Lakers fans.
There’s also the natural concern that Redick is close friends with Lakers superstar LeBron James. (They even host a podcast together.)
In other words, this is the farthest thing from a traditional hire.
But the Lakers are desperate to get back to the top of the NBA mountain – especially after watching historical rival Boston just blow past them to win a record-setting 18th NBA title.
Redick reportedly met with Lakers vice-president and general manager Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss over the weekend.
According to reports, the job offer was officially extended to Redick this morning.
The 39-year-old emerged as the Lakers primary choice after their efforts to steal Hurley from Connecticut fell through.
Despite having no formal coaching experience, Redick has quickly risen as a prominent broadcaster since joining ESPN in 2021.
He initially developed his media skills through podcasting, launching a popular podcast while still an active player.
One notable podcast, “Mind the Game,” is co-hosted by James, who will now play under Redick in Los Angeles.
This collaboration sparked controversy last week when NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith criticized the timing of the podcast’s launch during the season.
Smith mentioned receiving feedback from several coaches who were uncomfortable with a star player starting a podcast with his potential future coach while the current coach, Darvin Ham, was under scrutiny.
With Redick now at the helm, he will coach a roster led by James, who is only six months younger than him.
However, this is contingent on James’ decision to remain with the Lakers.
He is set to enter his 22nd NBA season – but could opt out of his $51.4 million contract to become a free agent this month if he chooses to do so.
Of course, another major storyline surrounding James and the Lakers is the perceived “quiet understanding” that they are to draft his son, Bronny, in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Many talent evaluators feel that Bronny is nowhere near ready for the NBA – but James has mentioned several times through the years that his dream is to be able to play with his son.
(You think Redick will stop that from happening??? … Didn’t think so.)
Although Redick lacks coaching experience, he has been deeply involved with the game throughout his entire life.
He is the all-time leading scorer at Duke, where he played under Mike Krzyzewski for four seasons.
Interestingly, Redick’s unconventional appointment is not without precedent in Lakers history. Pat Riley transitioned from broadcaster to assistant coach in 1979, eventually leading the Lakers to four championships in the 1980s.
Similarly, Steve Kerr, who had no prior coaching experience, has guided the Golden State Warriors to four championships since taking over in 2014.
Redick’s hiring concludes another unique offseason coaching search for Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka, and the Lakers, marking their eighth head coach since Phil Jackson’s departure in 2011 and their fourth since LeBron James joined in 2018.
The Lakers took six weeks to appoint Darvin Ham in 2022, but his tenure ended after a first-round playoff exit against Denver.
Ham achieved two winning seasons and an In-Season Tournament title, but the Lakers’ front office – and James – were unimpressed with his leadership.
During the playoffs, Anthony Davis notably remarked that the Lakers “have stretches where we don’t know what we’re doing on both ends of the floor.”
Following his legendary college career with the Blue Devils, Redick ended up exceeding the expectations that most had for him in the NBA.
Throughout his career, Redick played for six teams, including the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks.
He averaged 12.8 points over 940 regular-season games, ranking 20th in NBA history with 1,950 career three-pointers.
What are your thoughts on the Lakers decision to hire Redick?
Are you worried that his lack of coaching experience and the fact that he’s buddy-buddy with James will end up being a major problem?
Or do you think that Redick will end up developing into an elite NBA coach?
Do you buy any of the rumors that James will end up leaving LA and potentially sign with Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns?
Or does this hire virtually guarantee that he’ll be staying???