Report: JJ Redick, James Borrego, Sam Cassell Emerge As Early Top Targets For Lakers’ Coaching Job

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic, JJ Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell have emerged as the early top targets for the Los Angeles Lakers‘ coaching job. 

The Lakers fired Darvin Ham after two seasons. 

David Adelman, Micah Nori and Chris Quinn are expected to be among the other candidates. 

“The franchise’s next coach will be tasked with guiding both the end of the LeBron James–Anthony Davis era — potentially a two-year window — and then the next era of Lakers basketball led by Davis,” Charania and Buha wrote. “Los Angeles is looking for a coach who can grow with the franchise for years to come, according to team and league sources, placing a premium on maximizing Davis’ greatness, the current returning players and the element of high-level player development.

“As one source briefed on the situation said, ‘This should be more of a hire about AD than LeBron.’ The Lakers are expected to have an initial round of coaching interviews with candidates the franchise has not previously vetted, allowing team officials to get to know those individuals on a human level before progressing to the next phrase, league sources said.”

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games.

LeBron, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option, is expected to return to the Lakers. The King averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists this season while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line. 

Los Angeles is seeking a coach who will command the locker room, hold players accountable, tirelessly gameplan and provide a level of structure. 

Legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has become an unofficial resource for the Lakers since he coached Redick in college.

LeBron — the leading scorer in NBA history — and Redick have a podcast together, so they have a strong rapport. 

Borrego is an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans, while Cassell is an assistant with the Boston Celtics.