The Los Angeles Lakers have made a significant move in their coaching ranks, reportedly selecting JJ Redick as their new head coach—a decision that aligns with earlier speculations but still comes as a considerable talking point in NBA circles.
According to Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily, Redick, who is set to turn 40 next week, emerged as the preferred candidate after a formal interview process over the weekend.
This appointment follows a period of intense speculation and a brief interlude where the Lakers pursued UConn head coach Dan Hurley.
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Despite a lucrative six-year, $70 million offer from the Lakers, Hurley chose to stay at UConn, having secured two national championships in recent years. His decision redirected the Lakers’ attention back to Redick, who had been highly favored for the role early on in their search, as noted by NBA insider Shams Charania.
Redick’s transition to head coach is notable, given his lack of traditional coaching experience—his resume includes coaching his son’s youth team and extensive insights shared through his sports analysis and commentary. His acumen for basketball strategy, however, has been widely recognized, particularly through his podcast “Mind The Game,” co-hosted with LeBron James.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst highlighted how Redick’s detailed breakdowns of the Lakers’ offensive strategies and basketball philosophies on the podcast effectively served as part of his interview process, giving the Lakers’ management ample opportunity to assess his understanding and vision for the team.
“Anytime you hire a first-time head coach, you’re admitting you’re going to go through a learning curve,” Windhorst commented, acknowledging the inherent risks but also implying confidence in Redick’s capabilities. The Lakers’ front office evidently believes that Redick’s innovative approach to basketball analysis and his close ties with current players, notably LeBron James, will translate into a successful coaching tenure.
Assuming he signs a new long-term contract, LeBron James will be a pivotal figure under Redick’s leadership.
There’s also the intriguing possibility of coaching James’ son, Bronny, who has been heavily linked with the Lakers as the NBA Draft approaches.
This coaching change comes after a season where the Lakers showed improvement, finishing with a 47-35 record but exiting early in the playoffs—a performance that ultimately led to the dismissal of Darvin Ham, who had served as head coach for two years following Frank Vogel.
The Lakers are evidently looking for a fresh start and new strategies under Redick’s leadership to return to the pinnacle of NBA success.
