Report: JJ Redick’s Contact With Lakers Has Been ‘Minimal’

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, JJ Redick‘s contact with the Los Angeles Lakers has been “minimal.”

The Lakers aggressively tried to hire Dan Hurley, but he’s staying at UConn. 

“J.J. Redick’s name has been attached to the Lakers job since Darvin Ham‘s firing,” Windhorst wrote. “Redick has been disciplined in not directly discussing the Lakers’ job in numerous media appearances in recent weeks even as rumors swirled around him. But his contact with the team had been minimal, sources said, leading up to the Lakers’ aggressive pursuit of Hurley.”

Redick and Lakers star LeBron James co-host the “Mind The Game” podcast.

LeBron, 39, has made it known that he is staying out of Los Angeles’ coaching search. He can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason by declining his 2024-25 player option. 

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.

Redick is calling the NBA Finals for ESPN with Doris Burke and Mike Breen.

Along with Hurley and Redick, the Lakers have been linked to James Borrego, Sam Cassell and David Adelman.

According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Lakers want to make sure Anthony Davis is aligned with the new head coach. Davis didn’t have a good relationship with Ham, who was fired after two seasons. 

Some people around the NBA believe Davis doesn’t want to play for Redick, who didn’t vote AD for either All-Defensive Team. Davis wound up making the All-Defensive First Team.

Redick also voted LeBron and Davis for the All-NBA Third Team. 

It will be fascinating to see who the Lakers hire after Hurley passed on their six-year, $70 million offer.