Report: People Close To JJ Redick Are Asking Him If He’s ‘Sure’ Taking Lakers Job Is Right Move

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, people close to JJ Redick are asking him if he’s “sure” taking the Los Angeles Lakers coaching job is the right move. 

Redick will interview with the Lakers for their head coaching vacancy this weekend. He co-hosts a podcast with LeBron James. 

“I have no doubt that JJ is going to have a strong performance because he’s been preparing for this for a long time,” Windhorst said. “I think the question that’s being asked here is how much should JJ really want this job. And that’s one of the reasons why I think there’s people in his life — in fact I know there’s people in his life — who have said, ‘Are you sure this is the opportunity you want? That this is what you want to leave for?’ Because this is such a challenging job.

“Head coach of the Lakers is one of the four or five most desirable coaching jobs in all of sports. You’re talking about head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, manager of the Yankees, manager of Real Madrid. The Lakers are on that list.

“But JJ’s got to hear from their franchise, from Rob Pelinka, what their intentions are. How do they see life after LeBron James? How are they going to spend with these aprons in this new environment? What are their plans for their roster in this offseason? What can they do to help increase from their seventh-place finish?

“This isn’t just a one-way interview. JJ Redick has a great job. He has a great future. He could wait for three or four more head coaching opportunities in the next year or two, but that’s one of the big things that is going to come out of the conversations over the weekend I would expect.”

One of the best shooters in NBA history, Redick has yet to coach above the youth level. He played 15 years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks.

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason by declining his 2024-25 player option. The leading scorer in NBA history is expected to re-sign with the Lakers.