Lakers ‘Zeroing In’ On JJ Redick As Frontrunner To Be Next Coach

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers are “zeroing in” on JJ Redick as the frontrunner to be their next head coach. 

The Lakers are also considering James Borrego.

“Redick was the first candidate to have a face-to-face meeting with the Lakers three weeks ago, and Borrego did an in-person interview with Lakers officials for a second time last week and the franchise has been impressed with him during the process, according to team sources,” Charania wrote. “Anthony Davis and Borrego, who overlapped briefly in New Orleans, have also built a rapport recently.”

Redick and Lakers superstar LeBron James co-host the “Mind The Game” podcast. LeBron has made it known that he is staying out of Los Angeles’ coaching search.

The leading scorer in NBA history, LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason by declining his 2024-25 player option worth $51.4 million. He’s expected to remain with the Lakers. 

Redick played 15 years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. He’s 18th in NBA history in 3-point field goal percentage (41.5%). 

The Lakers fired Darvin Ham as their head coach after two seasons. Ham went 90-74 in the regular season and 9-12 in the playoffs.

The Lakers went 47-35 this season. They lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs in five games.

Denver also eliminated Los Angeles in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games. 

“The Lakers have been seeking a coach who has the potential and staying power to be their head man for now and the long-term, as someone who will command the locker room and hold players accountable, as well as tirelessly gameplan and provide a level of structure and organization, according to those sources,” Charania wrote. “It’s believed the franchise views Redick as the candidate who can check those boxes, those sources said.

“Sources have described Lakers officials as “infatuated” with Redick and his potential as a coach.”

Redick has yet to coach above the youth level.