The wait is finally over for the purple and gold faithful. The Lakers have finally made a head coach decision, agreeing to a four-year deal with JJ Redick, according to ESPN sources.
Lakers Make Head Coach Decision
Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that Rob Pelinka offered the job to Redick that morning. Redick is already at work assembling his coaching staff with an emphasis on experience. It’s the right way to go for him, considering this is his first coaching experience at the NBA level.
ESPN Sources: JJ Redick has agreed on a four-year contract to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Rob Pelinka offered job this morning and Redick’s started working on a staff to surround himself with experience. pic.twitter.com/G66eVFRALp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2024
This hiring brings an end to the public spectacle that was the Lakers’ hiring process. Darvin Ham was sacked on May 3. During much of the process, Redick has been the frontrunner for the job. Things took a surprising turn as the month of May gave way to June. Dan Hurley was suddenly linked with the job, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. On June 10, he rejected the Lakers’ offer of six years and $70 million to remain at Connecticut with the Huskies. He is aiming to achieve college basketball immortality by becoming the first coach since John Wooden to three-peat. There were rumors that the Lakers would offer him a nine-figure contract. Ultimately, this proved not to be true. It was an embarrassing situation for the Lakers.
Redick regained his position as the frontrunner for the Lakers’ coaching role after Hurley declined the offer. According to an earlier report by ESPN, Redick was set to have his initial formal interview with Los Angeles on Saturday. Additionally, it was revealed that Redick had previously met with Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka at the NBA Draft Combine in May.
Coaching Debut
This will be Redick’s first coaching gig at the professional or amateur level. He spent 15 years in the NBA as a sharpshooting marksman for hire, appearing for six franchises.
His meteoric rise in the coaching world has been remarkable since his retirement in 2021. He started his podcast during the tail end of his playing career. With his “The Old Man and the Three” podcast, he was one of the pioneers of the Player Podcast Movement. His podcast helped him quickly rise through the broadcasting ranks. He joined ESPN’s lead broadcasting crew during the 2023-24 season, calling the NBA Finals for the network.
Earlier this offseason, he was reportedly a finalist for the Charlotte Hornets’ head coaching position and has interviewed for other head coaching roles. According to a June report from The Athletic, members of the Los Angeles organization developed a strong admiration for Redick during the selection process. Additionally, the Lakers have reportedly sought advice from former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who was Redick’s college coach, throughout their decision-making process.
Laker Ties
Redick has a notable link to the Lakers’ organization through his podcast, “Mind the Game,” which he has co-hosted with LeBron James since March. The show covers basketball analysis and strategies. Despite his connection to Redick, James has not participated in the Lakers’ coaching search, according to a May report by The Athletic. However, Hurley mentioned on “The Herd” that James contacted him during his talks with the team.
While there’s still the looming issue of LeBron’s player option for the Lakers’ organization, there is at least some clarity to their future.
