After firing Darvin Ham in May, the Los Angeles Lakers began searching for a new coach. NBA veteran JJ Redick emerged as a leading candidate for the position, according to ESPN. Sources informed The Athletic that Redick impressed the Lakers’ owners and key stakeholders during a recent meeting.
According to ESPN, 15-year NBA veteran turned analyst and podcaster JJ Redick has agreed to a four-year contract to coach the Lakers.
The Los Angeles franchise has been searching for a new coach since dismissing Darvin Ham in May after his two-season tenure.
The team attempted to hire UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley with a six-year, $70 million offer, but he declined.
In a recent interview on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz,” Hurley explained that he declined the offer because he was already committed to UConn. “I don’t need leverage here,” Hurley said. “We’ve won back-to-back national championships. This was never about leverage for me. I’ve had a contract here for a few weeks.”
Following Hurley’s refusal, Redick, who played for six NBA teams including the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers, emerged as a leading candidate for the Lakers job, sources told ESPN.
According to The Athletic, Redick met with key decision makers several times before receiving the job offer on Thursday.
His first interview for the position was with Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, at the NBA Draft combine in Chicago around mid-May.
Redick had another meeting on June 15 in Los Angeles with Pelinka, the Buss Family Trust, and other key stakeholders. Multiple sources told The Athletic that Redick made a strong impression during this meeting.
Despite having no formal coaching experience, apart from coaching his son’s youth basketball team, Redick brings significant basketball IQ from his playing career. Sources told ESPN that Pelinka is confident Redick will adapt quickly with support from the coaching staff.
The Lakers have not yet commented on the hire.