Report: People Close To JJ Redick Told Him Not To Take Lakers Job: ‘They’re A Circus’

According to NBA reporter Dave McMenamin of ESPN, people close to JJ Redick told him not to take the Los Angeles Lakers job. 

Redick left his job at ESPN to become the new head coach of the Lakers. 

“You’re already doing so well in media, they said. Just wait and other opportunities will arise, he heard. Hey, someone is going to have to replace Gregg Popovich in San Antonio at some point, you could be the guy to coach Victor Wembanyama, they reasoned. Have you paid attention to the Lakers lately? They’re a circus, was the refrain.”

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.

“I think in response to the people who say, ‘You had such a good thing going on,’ they were correct,” Redick said. “I enjoyed three years of retirement. I really did. The things that I was able to do in media have not been lost on me … and all the stuff that we did in the podcast space. I’m very proud of it.

“There’s a competitive itch that I have every single day of my life. And no matter how many swings I took, that was not getting satisfied. And so, I felt a real calling in terms of the competitive side.”

The Lakers went 47-35 in 2023-24. They lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games.

Denver also beat Los Angeles in the 2023 Western Conference Finals. 

The Lakers made no moves in free agency or trades in the offseason. The only new players on the roster are rookies Bronny James and Dalton Knecht.

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Redick is focused on elevating Anthony Davis’ involvement and alleviating LeBron James‘ workload.

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December.