Lakers 'trying to get a sense' of what Redick would be like as a HC

Former NBA player JJ Redick. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers 'trying to get a sense' of what JJ Redick would be like as a head coach

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 5/12/24

JJ Redick is rumored to be a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers' head- coaching job. The former NBA sharpshooter was recently a finalist in the Charlotte Hornets' head-coaching search. He is a close friend of LeBron James, with the duo hosting the "Mind the Game" podcast together.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who appeared on Sunday's edition of "SportsCenter," the Lakers are conducting due diligence on Redick and other coaching candidates.

"The Lakers are going to start ramping up that search," Wojnarowski said. "...A couple of names to watch in this search are James Borrego...Another [person] and someone who hasn't coached, is our colleague here, JJ Redick. He is certainly somebody that the Lakers are drilling down on. They're making calls. They're trying to get a sense of what a head coach JJ Redick would look like. This is gonna be a long search. They're gonna talk to a lot of candidates."

The Lakers' head-coaching search will likely extend beyond the playoffs. After firing Darvin Ham, GM Rob Pelinka and the front office will undoubtedly do their research on whoever will take the reins.

The job comes with a significant amount of pressure and the expectation of immediate success. Redick, or any other first-time head coach, may not be ready for the weight of coaching the Lakers.

As such, L.A. would be better suited to targeting an experienced head coach. It would need someone who can command respect in the locker room and won't need to learn their role on the fly. Borrego could be a good option. He proved himself as one of the most innovative coaches in the NBA during his spell with the Hornets.

Whoever the Lakers decide to hire, they must be certain the coach is capable of leading the team on a deep postseason run. Otherwise, the front office could be looking for yet another head coach in the not-too-distant future.

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