After reaching the Western Conference Finals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham looked set to capitalize on that success, especially with the front office re-signing key players and adding capable role players to the roster.
Despite these favorable conditions, Ham chose to frequently alter his lineups, which eventually stirred discontent and mistrust among the team. This turmoil peaked when the Lakers were defeated by the Denver Nuggets in five games during the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, leading to the swift firing of Ham and his coaching staff.
This dismissal has propelled the Lakers into another critical search for a head coach this offseason.
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Among several experienced candidates linked to the vacancy, JJ Redick emerges as a particularly fascinating prospect. Redick, who has recently interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets’ head coaching position, is considered a dark horse for the Lakers’ role. His potential candidacy is likely boosted by his relationship with LeBron James, as they co-host the “Mind The Game” podcast together. The podcast showcases Redick’s deep understanding of basketball strategy and tactics.
On a recent episode of the podcast, Redick was seen wearing a backward hat, a style choice that sports media personality Colin Cowherd criticized, jokingly saying, “He looks like a guy that’s going to move my couch,” due to Redick being considered for a head coaching role.
Besides his collaboration with James, Redick also hosts “The Old Man and the Three” podcast and is a regular guest commentator on ESPN. He has yet to coach at any level since ending his playing career in 2021.
While there is a history of first-time head coaches eventually finding success, they often need time and experience at various stops to fully develop their leadership capabilities and effectively manage a team.