The Lakers, still recovering from Dan Hurley‘s decision to stay at UConn, have turned back to J.J. Redick in their search for a head coach.
They will formally interview Redick for the position this weekend. If it goes well, Redick is expected to become the frontrunner to replace Darvin Ham, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Prior to their courtship of Hurley, in which they offered him a six-year deal, the Lakers seemed to be zeroing in on Redick, who has been serving as a color commentator for ABC and ESPN during the Finals.
According to Wojnarowski, Redick spoke with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka last month for approximately 90 minutes at the Chicago draft combine. They have also been in contact in recent days, with Pelinka explaining to Redick why the franchise chose to pursue Hurley.
Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss, as well as other front office personnel, will now hold a lengthy meeting with Redick to discuss the position in greater detail.
Several reports in recent weeks had pegged the longtime NBA guard as the Lakers’ top choice despite his lack of coaching experience. Redick also hosts a podcast with LeBron James, who must decide this month whether to opt in to the final year of his contract or become a free agent.
The only other candidate who has been prominently mentioned is Pelicans assistant James Borrego, who interviewed for the Cavaliers’ head coaching job on Tuesday.
One of the reasons why the Lakers were enamored with Hurley was an increased focus on player development. Pelinka still views that as a priority for the next coaching staff, per Wojnarowski. The GM is also seeking an innovative coach who can design schemes to maximize Anthony Davis at both ends of the floor.
Hi, welcome aboard. Goes in to his office. Find 9 name plates of coaches that were interviewed but turned the job Down.
This narrative is hilarious. Acting like JJ is begging for a job. You understand its going to take a decent chunk of change to get JJ to put his booming media career on hold right?
Quite a leap. From currently coaching 9 year olds to the NBA. Actually, it’s probably comparable in terms of attitude and sense of entitlement lol
Nominee for BEST COMMENT OF THE DAY. They should survey every head coach/assistant coach/GM/team staff member who currently works in NBA or worked in NBA within last 10 years: if you could coach the current Lakers team (as constructed) or a bunch of 9-year olds you never met……same amount of pay either way…..which scenario would you take? Then release the results to the public before Klutch Sports attempts to manipulate the data.
This made me laugh!
Shocking, LA going nowhere
“Why did you pick Hurley over me?”
“He has coaching experience.”
“Oh…”
JJ to Lakers = Mr. Burns exclaiming “Patsy!”
Hope Reddick gets the job and hires Big Perk, Stephen A and the rest of the ESPN crew as assistant coaches ……… let’s see them put their money where there mouths are.
the best thing for the lakers would be if LeBron leaves and they can build a team around AD with good shooters that also play good defense.
Sadly, I think he stays. At this point, I can’t see him taking his talents to a smaller-market area.
He could go to a team that generates more revenue in the same size market, like the warriors, who don’t share the local market with a second team. After the Space Jam flop, it should be clear to lebron by now he has no future in Hollywood.
Can you play D when you’re 40?
Why would he want to coach a team with 2 players that think they know better than a coach? Only hope is to trade both of them and build a new team.
AD you can work with. LBJ is another story.
Wonderful…. Hire the guy who’s blatantly disrespectful to Jerry West and his peers.
What a circus.
Any (aspiring) head coach with even the slightest amount of self respect took note of the BS Brawny Sensation and AD pulled – when they made public for all to hear about overruling and questioning Ham’s decisions – and thinks “thanks, but NO THANKS.”
Didn’t Shams break this a week ago? Woj coming off as real desperate. Can we get a third scooper already i am sick of the pissing contest. Dana can you start breaking Pistons stories on here?
I mean how was Woj wrong? They offered the job to some one else while Shams said JJ was the front runner. So therefore he was wrong. Maybe the front runner to be the bridesmaid that ultimately ends up with the job but that doesn’t mean he was the top choice.
Rick Bucher is on stand by… “Phil Jackson is considering a return to LA”
Chris Broussard just reported that the Lakers have a coaching vacancy
It’s still a mystery who Chris Broussard’s sources are.
Sam Cassel is way overdue for an opportunity, but sure go with the talking head.
May as well let Lebron pull a Bill Russell and be player/ coach for two years and then transition into coaching FT. At least He’ll get to coach his Bronny before he gets cut .
This would be hilarious with JJ driving the bus. Hey Harden likes it in L.A, sign him please lol. I can’t wait to watch this slow motion train wreck. Man lakers stink, LETS GO CELTICS.
It took celtics 16 years to be the champs again and they almost choked last night. With the talents that the roster has, dont you think they stink, too?
Reddick is an absolute bore in the color-commentary analyst role. How is he going to command a locker room? Feels like another train wreck approaching.
A college coach to coach this team. A team that thinks it can make one last run at a title with Bron. Makes no sense for either one. Why would even JJ want to start here.