Recent reports from NBA insider Shams Charania suggest that JJ Redick is leading the race for the Lakers’ head coach vacancy. Charania shared this insight during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, noting that Redick had a face-to-face meeting with the Lakers last week, marking the team’s first direct interview for the role.
Charania emphasized Redick’s suitability for the position, citing his potential impact and long-term commitment to the team.
He stated, “My sense is that JJ Redick is the guy around the league that everyone believes is the front-runner for this job. There’s an infatuation with JJ Redick not just for right now but also being a coach that the Lakers can have for years and years to come.”
Charania says Redick is the most qualified applicant
While Redick lacks coaching experience, his illustrious career as a sharpshooter in the NBA, spanning 15 seasons with multiple teams, underscores his deep understanding of the game. His close relationship with Lakers star LeBron James, evidenced by their collaborative podcast “Mind the Game,” further strengthens his candidacy.
Despite the Lakers’ disappointing playoff exit, James has displayed comfort and camaraderie with Redick on their podcast, discussing various basketball-related topics and even the WNBA debut of Caitlin Clark.
This chemistry between Redick and James could prove valuable in Redick’s potential transition to coaching the Lakers.
