The Los Angeles Lakers are on the precipice of filling their head coach opening, and a front-runner has emerged for the job. The Lakers are “zeroing in” on JJ Redick as their next coach, according to NBA insider Shams Charania. Redick has no prior coaching experience beyond leading his 9-year-old son’s travel team.
Lakers, JJ Redick nearing head coaching hiring, per report
LeBron James is reportedly close to being coached by his podcast partner JJ Redick.
Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
The Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham after the team was eliminated in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The team has interviewed a wide range of candidates, and are reportedly picking between Redick and former Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego. Redick is the likely pick, and it’s no coincidence that he has a strong relationship with LeBron James.
Redick is finally interviewing for the Lakers job after the Finals:
James and Redick currently do a podcast together called “Mind the Game.” The podcast started just a couple months ago and has earned acclaim for giving fans a unique view into James’ brilliant basketball mind. Redick has been working as a media analyst since retiring from the game in 2021. He’s doing color commentary for the 2024 NBA Finals.
Redick had a 15-year-old playing career in the NBA after an infamous college career at Duke. He turns 40 years old in June.
The Lakers finished 47-35 with the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference this past season. The team has most of its core locked in for next year, but will face a decision on impending free agent D’Angelo Russell.
We’ll update this story as it develops.
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