JJ Redick on having zero NBA head coach experience
JJ Redick addressed concerns about taking the Lakers job despite having zero NBA head-coaching experience.
LOS ANGELES – Welcome (back) to Hollywood!
JJ Redick was officially announced as the newest head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
Redick was reportedly offered the job Thursday morning and now becomes the 27th coach in franchise history.
The former Blue Devil was an analyst for ESPN during the NBA Finals and formally interviewed for the position over the weekend ahead of Game 5.
JJ Redick to be LA Lakers new head coach: Reports
Former Clipper JJ Redick is expected to be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports.
However, that apparently wasn’t his first time meeting with a member of the Lakers’ front office about the position. Sources told ESPN that Redick had a lengthy conversation with Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka during the Chicago draft combine in mid-May.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Dan Hurley turns down $70M from Lakers
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: University of Connecticut men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley has reportedly turned down a six-year, $70 million offer to become the coach of the Lakers.
Redick had a 15-year career in the NBA for teams such as the LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. However, he has no prior coaching experience.
Like Steve Kerr, Redick joins a list of athletes from the player-to-coach pipeline. Other players with similar trajectories include Derek Fisher, Jason Kidd and Mark Jackson.
The announcement also comes about a week after Dan Hurley declined the Lakers’ reported $70 million offer and opted to return to the University of Connecticut with hopes of winning a third NCAA championship.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Dan Hurley turns down Lakers’ $70M offer: report
Former NBA player JJ Redick. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
One player likely to be thrilled with the hiring is LeBron James. He co-hosts the “Mind the Game” basketball podcast with Redick.
Now, Redick will be tasked with coaching James’ final years in the league along with the Lakers’ young core of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie.
SUGGESTED: LeBron James, 39, acknowledges NBA career is nearing its end: ‘I don’t have much time left’
Other outlets reported Anthony Davis liked the possibility of James Borrego for the role and was allegedly open to the idea of Monty Williams. Davis worked with Williams and briefly worked with Borrego during his time in New Orleans.
After the Lakers first-round exit, the team parted ways with Darvin Ham and their entire coaching staff.
Lakers fire Darvin Ham after 2 seasons
After a first-round exit, Darvin Ham was fired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lakers part ways with Darvin Ham after 2 seasons
Ham will return to Milwaukee as the top assistant under Doc Rivers. He was allegedly offered a similar role in Phoenix under Mike Budenholzer but declined.
The details of Redick’s offer were not immediately disclosed. However, it was reported he signed a four-year deal.
