Oh, the irony and shade that’s been thrown over a few weeks since former NBA
player and ESPN lead commentator JJ Redick was linked to the Lakers head
coaching job. How many journalists out there all became “sources” and it
backfired? It’s official as Redick has been hired to spearhead the Los Angeles
Lakers back to dominance.
He becomes the fourth head coach in GM Rob Pelinka’s tenure; securing a four
year deal with the hottest seat in basketball. It was a drawn out conclusion as
Lakers faithful became impatient. A lot of “sources” who didn’t care until current
UConn Huskies Men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley’s name swirled like a
funnel cloud before briefly touching down.
The suspense of this delayed hiring came with a lot of behind the scenes stories
from other reporters who were out for “click bait” and clout.
Now the work begins as Redick prepares to figure out the Lakers roster and
coaching staff. His basketball IQ and ability to connect with today’s NBA players
is pivotal in building this team post-LeBron James. Redick’s input on offensive
sets and utilizing guys, whereas former head coach Darvin Ham couldn’t figure out
during his two seasons. It sounds easy but there’s layers to this and coaching in Los
Angeles.
The narrative has and will be: “no coaching experience” but solid role player
whose career spanned fifteen seasons. How the national media is rooting against
Redick to fail and exit after 2026. All of which is little pebbles being thrown into
ripples of water in the Pacific Ocean. He’s been waiting for this opportunity and
will be what the Lakers need to build moving forward. Along with that, he co-hosts
a podcast with LeBron James “Mind the Game”, and everyone has questioned his
commitment to coaching.
Redick won’t have time to podcast when he’s conducting meetings, practices, tracking potential roster moves to improve the team. There’s no room for error with all the media waiting for a small crack in the foundation. Redick’s first order of business is addressing the perimeter wings and improving the Lakers defense. This was a weak area under Ham by relying on certain players. The rotations were very bad and didn’t vibe well with players. With a big payroll and limited draft picks, it must be fit and scheme as to what Redick wants to implement.
Getting on the phone with potential draft prospects as the Lakers have (2) picks in
next week’s draft. Round 1: 17 th overall and round 2: 55 th overall; there’s options to
move up and swap picks with teams in the top ten. With USC guard Bronny James
working out with the team, it would be a gamble in selecting James and pairing
him with LeBron. There would be some concerns with his medical history, but if
the opportunity presents itself and the younger James is available, Redick will have
to sign off this pick. It would be a diamond in the rough to build on for the future.
One player who’s been defensively and needs to be involved is Anthony Davis.
With AD’s defensive prowess and availability for 2024, he proved to have his best
season in years. What will his role be offensively and how big of a role defense
will play? With Davis under contract for three more seasons, his level of play will
go up a notch if the Lakers aspire of winning championship eighteen. Davis needs
to buy-in with Redick’s vision for team success and continue to be a top three
defender in the league. If that happens, Los Angeles will go as AD goes and it’ll
give him more confidence having a coach who believes in his potential with
leading the way.
Having a legit center to play alongside AD proved to work in 2020; since then, it’s
been a rollercoaster of guys who couldn’t fill the void of taking pressure off Davis.
Finding a serviceable center who can create matchup nightmares for Jokic, KAT,
Wemby and Chet Holmgren will be the biggest roster spot to fill. Jaxson Hayes had flashes but couldn’t see the floor as his role should’ve been. Christian Wood was
hurt most of the 2024 season and couldn’t find minutes. This will be a must prior
to free agency beginning very soon. Surrounding Redick with experienced coaches will make him successful. With several former head coaches and assistants available, there’s a few names who should be considered as a lead number one assistant:
Monty Williams: Former Phoenix Suns head coach who was recently fired by the
Detroit Pistons and will collect $65 million dollars can be the eyes and ears for
Redick. His name has cache and managing star players in Phoenix. He’s very
respectable around the league and having a coach like Williams can navigate
Redick through good and bad times in the hottest seat as head coach. They have
ties through Philadelphia where Williams was an assistant to Brett Brown.
Stan Van Gundy: Current NBA on TNT commentator who too has a lot of head
coaching experience. His old school tactics and demand for perfection would fit
what Redick needs in getting players ready to go every night. Van Gundy has been
out of coaching for a while, but still connected to the game through broadcasting.
A zero tolerance coach who’s not afraid to be harsh on players; he has history
coaching against LeBron and that would be the driving point in Van Gundy’s
possible hiring. Los Angeles needs constructive criticism and what better guy to
bring on the staff. Plus, they survived the Dwight Howard exodus while in
Orlando. Redick was a part of the Magic, while Van Gundy was head coach.
Rajon Rondo: Two-time NBA Champion with both Boston and Los Angeles
could be a good hire. With his defensive mindset and floor general knowledge,
Rondo could unlock Austin Reaves’ abilities to become the point guard in running
the offense. Rondo’s ability to connect with players and help develop the young
guards the Lakers have. Playing with both historical franchises, Rondo would be
the guy who’ll bring out the “dawgs” in the locker room. Having a prior relationship with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, there would be a lot of communication far as defensive schemes and sets the Lakers want to run. It would make perfect sense for the most part.
There’s very little time to get everything ironed out but Redick is built for this
moment. With a very short title window in a vastly young Western Conference,
Los Angeles’ aspirations to win is higher than ever. An aging superstar in James
doesn’t have many more years to waste. Year 22 and 40 years old on December
30 th , he’s still on a hunt for more championships. Constructing the right roster
around LeBron and Redick’s coaching staff must be aligned. AD is in prime
position to lead the Lakers and must buy in early on. Developing the young core
post James is present and future. If the Lakers align all this together and cancel outside noise, this team will be very difficult to beat. No more excuses from players; most importantly, this will be the last head coach Rob Pelinka hires as his job is on the line in 2025. All eyes on the sequel of “Final Destination: Los Angeles Lakers.”
