Dan Hurley recently declined the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching job offer to remain at UConn. As a result, JJ Redick has emerged as a head coaching candidate for the team once again. Redick is expected to interview for the position, but ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst thinks Redick has been interviewing for the job during his podcast Mind the Game with LeBron James.
“Anytime you hire a first time head coach, you're admitting that you're going to go through a learning curve… Frankly, [JJ Redick's] interviews have been in those podcasts with LeBron James,” Windhorst said on ESPN. “They've extensively broken down the Lakers' offense, extensively broken down what they do. It's been out there for the whole world to hear, including from the Lakers front office.
Redick enjoyed a respectable NBA playing career. He has no NBA coaching experience, though. Still, he's displayed impressive knowledge of the game in the media world.
LeBron seems to respect Redick. Having James in your corner is impactful to say the least. In the end, the Lakers will make the final decision. There are other options, but Redick appears to be a serious candidate.
It needs to be remembered that James has a player option and could opt out of his deal. LeBron's decision will obviously play an important role in LA's future.
Lakers planing for future
Los Angeles has a number of questions to address during the offseason. Finding a new head coach is a top priority, but keeping James is also important. Additionally, the Lakers have to make other decisions about players on the roster.
LA may end up searching for potential trades this offseason. They could end up being active in free agency as well. Upgrading the roster will be crucial.
If LeBron stays, the Lakers will have no choice but to try to win a championship. James is going to be 40 years old and will not want to waste his final years on a rebuilding team. The Lakers struggled to find consistency during the 2023-24 season, so they will likely make some notable roster moves.
As for the head coaching position, a rumor recently emerged that suggested the Cleveland Cavaliers' job is more attractive than the Lakers' gig. There have been a number of stirrings about the desirability of the Lakers' head coaching position ever since they decided to move on from Darvin Ham.
Los Angeles has continued to hire candidates and then move on just a few years later over the past decade. Unless someone finds immediate success, they will have questions about their future with the team.
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for this Lakers team. Will LeBron James remain in LA? Is JJ Redick going to become the franchise's next head coach? How will the Lakers ultimately address the offseason?
We will find out the answers to these questions soon. If Los Angeles has a good offseason, perhaps they will become a title contender once again during the 2024-25 campaign.
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