JJ Redick is among several candidates being considered to fill the Los Angeles Lakers coaching vacancy. While he has no previous coaching experience, the organization reportedly believes he has strong potential. Jovan Buha and Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that he has drawn internal comparisons to Pat Riley, writing:
Leaguewide, Redick — a former player and media analyst — has garnered buzz for the position. The Lakers are infatuated with Redick’s potential, according to league sources, viewing him as a Pat Riley-like coaching prospect who could both help the franchise in the short term and lead it for years. [h/t The Athletic]
Riley played nine seasons in the league, spending parts of six years with the Lakers. Upon retiring, he re-joined the franchise as a broadcaster, spending three seasons in the role before moving to the bench as an assistant coach. Two years later, he took over as head coach and is now widely considered one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. Riley won one championship as an assistant coach and five as a head coach. He won three Coach of the Year awards and coached the All-Star Game nine times.
While Redick does not have the assistant coach experience, he played 15 seasons in the NBA. He has spent the past three seasons as a broadcaster after retiring following the 2020-21 season. Since his retirement, he has become one of the most respected voices in basketball.
JJ Redick has reportedly been interviewed by the Los Angeles Lakers
JJ Redick is reportedly among three head coaching candidates who have already been interviewed by the Los Angeles Lakers. Jovan Buha and Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed that the organization has began interviewing candidates, writing:
The Lakers have held formal meetings with JJ Redick, New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego and Boston Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell over the past several days, according to those sources. [h/t The Athletic]
They added that the franchise plans to meet with Denver Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn in the coming days. While Redick has a strong relationship with LeBron James – hosting the Mind the Game podcast together – the four-time NBA MVP has not been involved in the coaching search.
Instead, Anthony Davis and former Duke Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski have played a role in the ongoing search. Redick has ties to the latter, playing his college basketball under the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. He was named 2006 national college Player of the Year as a senior.
