The Los Angeles Lakers are targeting JJ Redick as the frontrunner to become the franchise’s next head coach, league and media industry sources said The Athletics.
No final decision has been made and the Lakers still have steps to go in their head coaching search, league sources said. But there are strong indications that Redick is their first choice at this stage.
The Lakers’ search has focused in earnest on two candidates — Redick and Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego — in recent weeks, league sources said.
Redick was the first prospect to meet in person with the Lakers three weeks ago, and Borrego did his second in-person interview with Lakers officials last week and the franchise was impressed with him during the process. according to team sources. Anthony Davis and Borrego, who briefly overlapped in New Orleans, have also recently built a rapport.
Redick, a media analyst, is serving as color commentator for the NBA Finals, which begin Thursday night in Boston, fueling belief within the NBA that a possible hiring would go official and be announced after the series.
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The Lakers also interviewed several other candidates, including Celtics assistant Sam Cassell, Heat assistant Chris Quinn, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and Nuggets assistant David Adelman.
Multiple sources briefed on the matter said one person who has become a respected unofficial resource for the Lakers during the process is legendary former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose deep knowledge of candidates like Redick and others provided a lens offers in the culture of the organization. wishes and characteristics of a potential staff surrounding the next head coach.
Krzyzewski’s history with the Lakers dates back to 2004, when Dr. Jerry Buss made a strong but unsuccessful offer to hire Coach K. Redick played for Krzyzewski at Duke from 2002 to 2006.
The Lakers are looking for a coach who has the potential and staying power to be their main man now and long-term, as someone who commands the locker room and holds players accountable, and who tirelessly creates game plans and a level of structure and organization, those sources said. It’s believed the franchise views Redick as the candidate who can check those boxes, these sources said.
Sources have described Lakers officials as “in love” with Redick and his potential as a coach.
Redick has yet to coach above the youth level. He is the most progressive candidate given his high-profile playing career as a media personality and his recent “Mind the Game” podcast with LeBron James. Still, James has made it known that he is staying out of the team’s coaching search, according to people involved in the matter.
Redick played 15 seasons in the NBA with six teams, most notably the Orlando Magic and LA Clippers. A renowned shooter, he posted a career average of 12.8 points per game on 41.5 percent three-point shooting, 44.7 percent from the field and 89.2 percent from the free throw line.
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(Photo: Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images)