Report: Lakers ‘Infatuated’ With JJ Redick’s Potential, View Him As Pat Riley-Like Coaching Prospect

According to NBA insiders Jovan Buha and Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers are “infatuated” with JJ Redick’s potential. 

The Lakers, who have held formal meetings with Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell, view Redick as a Pat Riley-like coaching prospect.

“Leaguewide, Redick — a former player and media analyst — has garnered buzz for the position,” Buha and Charania wrote. “The Lakers are infatuated with Redick’s potential, according to league sources, viewing him as a Pat Riley-like coaching prospect who could both help the franchise in the short term and lead it for years. Riley, a nine-year NBA veteran as a player, was a broadcaster for the Lakers from 1977 to 1979 before making the leap to assistant coach in 1979 and then eventually head coach in 1981.”

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.

While Redick and Lakers star LeBron James co-host the podcast “Mind The Game,” LeBron is staying out of the team’s coaching search. The leading scorer in NBA history can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason by declining his 2024-25 player option worth $51.4 million.

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 are taking a methodical approach with their process and are seeking a coach who will command the locker room and hold players accountable, as well as tirelessly game plan and provide a level of structure and organization, according to multiple league and team sources,” Buha and Charania wrote. 

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%). 

It would shock many people in the NBA if the Lakers didn’t hire Redick, who will call the NBA Finals this year for ESPN.