The Los Angeles Lakers are taking their time in selecting their next head coach, with JJ Redick emerging as an early frontrunner. Redick is reportedly already preparing a potential coaching staff in case he gets the job.
NBA insider Marc Stein’s May 27 Substack post reveals that Redick has his eyes on Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell, New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, and Dallas Mavericks assistant Jared Dudley for his coaching team. Cassell and Borrego have also been linked to the Lakers’ head coaching position, while Dudley’s previous stint with the Lakers and his role in their 2019-20 championship team add to his appeal.
It’s uncertain if Borrego or Cassell would be interested in joining the coaching team of the person they were previously vying for the job with. Redick, Cassell, and Dudley all have backgrounds as former players, suggesting a coaching staff with a strong player presence. Adding Borrego would be strategic given his past experience as a head coach. Redick and Borrego worked together during their time at the Orlando Magic, indicating a level of familiarity between them.
If Redick could assemble this team, it would be formidable. Cassell is expected to become a head coach in the future, and Dudley was well-liked as a teammate during his tenure in Los Angeles. The potential of this coaching staff could easily excite LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Los Angeles Lakers ‘Infatuated’ With JJ Redick?
It’s seeming more and more that Redick might be the favorite for the Lakers’ head coaching job. According to Shams Charania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the team thinks that he has big-time potential as a head coach.
“Leaguewide, Redick — a former player and media analyst — has garnered buzz for the position,” Charania and Buha wrote in a May 21 column. “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.
“While Redick and Lakers star LeBron James co-host the podcast ‘Mind The Game,’ James has made it known that he is staying out of the team’s coaching search.”
Redick lacks coaching experience in professional leagues and has been away from the NBA since 2021, making him a risky choice. However, with no definite standout coaches currently available, Redick appears to be the leading candidate for the Lakers coaching position, pending any unforeseen obstacles.
What’s causing the delay?
Even though the Lakers are considering several candidates for the head coaching position, Redick has been the frontrunner for some time. Unlike other teams that swiftly filled their head coaching vacancies, the Lakers have taken more time, possibly indicating a thorough search process.
This delay may stem from the team’s recognition of the significance of this hire, as they are approaching their fourth head coach since LeBron James joined. Given that this next hire could be James’ final coach with the team, the Lakers cannot afford to make a misstep in their selection.
