The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2023-24 NBA season ended in defeat in the first round of the playoffs, and the franchise is already looking towards the future.
The Lakers fired former head coach Darvin Ham shortly after the team’s season came to an end, and it looks like the powers that be within the organization might have their sights set on one primary candidate: former sharpshooter J.J. Redick.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the gig is basically seen as Redick’s to lose.
“The Lakers’ search is only just now ramping up, but the distinct vibe circulating among the front office, coaching and agent masses gathered in Chicago for this week’s NBA Draft combine is that Redick should be classified as the early favorite if you are determined to pinpoint one,” Stein wrote.
“A belief is already bubbling in coaching circles that the job might well be his to lose in the interview process despite Redick’s lack of prior coaching experience beyond youth basketball.”
Previously, Redick was listed on a much longer list of potential candidates that the Lakers were expected to look at. Based on this report, it looks like Redick has made the short list. In fact, it seems that he is at the top of that list.
A Redick hire would certainly be a cause for excitement within the ranks of the Lakers faithful. While the team has had some solid head coaches in recent years, few have brought the star power that Redick has.
He had an incredible college and NBA career as a player, and he is widely considered to be one of the smartest basketball minds within the industry. Not only that, but thanks to the fact that he is just 39 years old, Redick would likely be able to connect and communicate with players on a deeper level than most current NBA coaches would.
When it comes to his time in the league, Redick was seen as a highly valuable player. He came off the bench for about half of his 15-year career.
During his time in the league, he had averages of 12.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He shot 44.7 percent from the field and a scorching 41.5 percent from deep. There’s no doubt that he understands the power of the 3-point shot.
It would be fascinating to see what kind of playing style he’d implement for players if he ultimately does end up working as a head coach in the NBA.
Whether or not that opportunity comes with the storied Lakers franchise remains to be seen.
