In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly hired former NBA player JJ Redick as their next head coach. The news, broken by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, comes after an extensive interview process that included several high-profile candidates.
Redick, who had a successful 15-year NBA career, was chosen over other notable contenders such as Danny Hurley, James Borrego, and Sam Cassell. The Lakers also reportedly expressed interest in Kenny Atkinson, Mike Budenholzer, and Ty Lue before settling on Redick.
The decision has elicited mixed reactions from the basketball community. Matt Barnes, a longtime NBA veteran, praised Redick’s basketball acumen but expressed concern about the challenges of the high-pressure position. In contrast, Cleveland Cavaliers champion Channing Frye was more critical, describing the job as a potential “death sentence” for Redick.
Redick’s playing career, which began as the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, saw him suit up for multiple teams including the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Dallas Mavericks. His transition from player to coach will be closely watched, as he takes on the task of restoring the Lakers to their former glory.
As Redick begins to assemble his coaching staff, all eyes will be on how he navigates the expectations and pressures that come with leading one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. The basketball world eagerly awaits to see if Redick’s basketball IQ and experience as a player will translate to success in his new role as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
TMZ
