Report: Redick agrees to contract to turn into Lakers’ subsequent coach initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
Practically two months after their season ended, the Los Angeles Lakers have lastly discovered their new head coach.
Former NBA sharpshooter, podcast host and ESPN broadcaster JJ Redick has agreed to a four-year contract to turn into the Lakers’ subsequent coach, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday, citing sources.
ESPN Sources: JJ Redick has agreed on a four-year contract to turn into the following coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Rob Pelinka provided job this morning and Redick’s began engaged on a employees to encompass himself with expertise. pic.twitter.com/G66eVFRALp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2024
Redick, who has no head teaching expertise at any degree, is a daring alternative for a franchise with a storied historical past such because the Lakers.
Redick’s rise in his post-playing profession has been meteoric. Throughout the bubble season in 2020, his first foray into broadcasting was together with his personal manufacturing firm known as ThreeFourTwo Productions. The corporate’s first content material was a podcast hosted by Redick known as “The Outdated Man and the Three.”
After retiring from the NBA following the 2021 season, Redick was employed as an analyst by ESPN and made his debut on November 3, 2021, as a studio analyst for the community’s protection of a sport between the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks.
Redick’s rise was distinguished. Contained in the corridors of ESPN, his voice turned synonymous with sharp evaluation and insightful commentary. None of that got here as a shock for these like myself, who adopted his enjoying profession.
Redick realized the sport from Corridor of Fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke the place he was a two-time All-American and the 2006 Nationwide School Participant of the 12 months.
The Orlando Magic drafted him that very same yr and he shortly helped make them the 2009 NBA Finals, the place they misplaced to the Lakers in 5 video games.
Redick got here to Los Angeles in 2013 with the Clippers the place he performed 5 seasons for the group, serving to them attain the playoffs in all 5. It was within the area previously generally known as Staples Heart the place we shortly realized that Redick’s basketball IQ was off the charts and that at some point he can be destined for extra than simply the broadcasting sales space.
As we speak, simply three brief years after his retirement, that potential has been realized because the Lakers have named him the twenty seventh head coach in franchise historical past.
Redick is taken into account a participant’s coach, and lots of contained in the Lakers’ group have in contrast him to a younger Pat Riley.
As a participant, Redick’s profession was outlined by his precision and understanding of the sport. One thing that is on totally show in his new podcast together with his now star participant, LeBron James. The Podcast, launched throughout the postseason known as “Thoughts the Sport,” and it is co-produced by Redick and James’ respective manufacturing firms.
Many believed it was these conversations with LeBron on the podcast that put Redick on the Lakers’ radar. On the present, the 2 break down the X’s and O’s of the sport and focus on late-game methods and defensive positioning. Redick and James will now carry that very same meticulous strategy to the Lakers’ sidelines throughout the upcoming season.
Redick was a sharpshooter all through his profession and is anticipated to emphasise 3-point taking pictures, tempo and house as he tries to rejuvenate the Lakers’ offense.
Redick interviewed with the Lakers over the weekend and was employed only a few days later. His hiring comes lower than every week earlier than the 2024 NBA Draft.
Redick should be taught on the job as quick as attainable. His first transfer will probably be to rent a employees, hopefully with some veteran head coaches as assistants. Redick is aware of all too nicely, the stress that comes with the high-profile place because the Lakers head coach.
With stars like James and Anthony Davis on the roster, Redick will look to make the Lakers a championship contender each this season and into the long run. So as to take action, he might want to foster a profitable tradition and perceive the dynamics and roles with the star-studded lineup.
Lakers followers, recognized for his or her ardour and excessive expectations, have greeted the information with a mixture of pleasure and curiosity. Social media is abuzz with reactions, with many optimistic about what Redick can carry to the group. His popularity as a hardworking, educated basketball thoughts has followers hopeful that he can lead the Lakers again to championship rivalry.
Nevertheless, those self same followers had been ecstatic on the prospect of two-time NCAA nationwide championship head coach Dan Hurley from Connecticut taking the job. However, Hurley turned down the Lakers’ provide to stay at UConn and chase a 3rd straight title.
Redick might not have been the group’s first alternative, however in his new function, the long run appears brilliant. His mix of contemporary basketball philosophy and deep respect for the sport’s traditions positions him as an excellent chief for a group seeking to reclaim its glory. With coaching camp across the nook, all eyes will probably be on Redick as he begins to form the following period of Lakers basketball.
The journey from commentator to teach is full. JJ Redick is able to write the following chapter in Lakers historical past, and if his previous is any indication, it’s going to be an exhilarating journey.
