Based on ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, JJ Redick is now the top coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
He had been considered as a front-runner for the place since Darvin Ham was launched from the franchise on Could 3. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers entrance workplace took their time in deciding on Ham’s alternative.
A failed pursuit of UConn’s Dan Hurley left the Lakers wanting silly. However, they caught to their rules and diligently looked for a brand new chief. Redick spent Saturday with the Lakers entrance workplace, and it will seem he left an enduring impression.
By hiring Redick, the Lakers are taking a calculated danger. Whereas he has no teaching expertise on the skilled stage, he’s considered extremely inside basketball circles as a result of his basketball IQ. Redick thinks the sport. He additionally has a powerful relationship with LeBron James. As such, he should not have any drawback connecting with the remainder of the Lakers locker room.
Nonetheless, Pelinka and the entrance workplace should give Redick time to develop in his new position. It could be unfair to count on him to hit the bottom working. There’ll possible be a interval through the season the place Redick should determine issues out. The brilliant lights of Los Angeles will solely make his job more durable. Redick knew that when he accepted the job, although.
Not less than now, the Lakers can transfer previous their teaching search and start planning for the upcoming season. Redick will undoubtedly start developing his teaching employees within the coming days. He can even have concepts about which areas of the roster want strengthening. Happily for Redick, he is possible had lengthy conversations with James about bettering the group.
Redick is betting on himself. The Lakers are betting on him, too. Nonetheless, after weeks of flirtation, this announcement felt inevitable. Now, we’ll lastly learn the way good of a coach Redick can turn into. Or whether or not he was higher suited to media and podcasting.