Report: Lakers Formally Interview JJ Redick, Could Hire Him After NBA Finals

June 15, 2024

According to NBA reporter Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Lakers formally interviewed JJ Redick on Saturday (6/15).

NBA, Lakers, JJ Redick — Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images

Redick, who co-hosts a podcast with Lakers superstar LeBron James, has had multiple conversations with Rob Pelinka since Darvin Ham was fired.

“The Lakers hosted former player and current broadcaster JJ Redick on Saturday in their most formal interview with him to date, with multiple members of the organization speaking to the former Duke star about the team’s head-coaching vacancy,” Woike wrote.

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 currently broadcasting the NBA Finals, and it has been widely speculated the Lakers would wait on him to finish his responsibilities with ESPN/ABC before hiring him as head coach,” Woike wrote.

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.

One source told NBA insider Marc Stein, “You know who is getting the job.”

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of this year’s playoffs in five games. Denver also beat Los Angeles in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games.

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.

The Lakers offered Dan Hurley a six-year, $70 million deal, but he declined the offer to stay at UConn.

LeBron and Davis have been teammates since 2019-20. The Lakers won the 2020 title, lost in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, missed the playoffs in 2022, lost in the conference finals in 2023 and lost in the first round this year.