Adrian Wojnarowski: Lakers are 'intrigued with' JJ Redick as head coaching candidate

The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in JJ Redick as a potential candidate to fill their head coaching vacancy, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The NBA insider mentioned Redick as someone the Lakers “are intrigued with” on an episode of NBA Countdown on Saturday.

It doesn’t sound like he will be the only candidate, as Wojnarowski added that this will be a “wide-ranging and lengthy search.” However, it’s certainly interesting to note after Redick also reportedly interviewed for the open Charlotte Hornets position last month.

“Their search is gonna ramp up this week,” Wojnarowski said. “Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office, they’ll be in Chicago for the league’s draft combine. You can expect them to start calling for permission to talk to coaches around the league, assistants. But one name that the Lakers have been drilling down on in their initial research here: JJ Redick.

“He is certainly somebody that the Lakers are intrigued with. They’ve been making a lot of calls to try to learn more about him, but expect this to be a wide-ranging and lengthy search.”

Redick has no prior coaching experience but played 15 seasons in the NBA for the Magic, Clippers, 76ers and Pelicans among others. He retired following the 2020-21 season with career averages of 12.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Regarded as a 3-point specialist throughout his playing days, he shot 41.5% from beyond the arc for his career and his 1,950 triples made rank him 20th all-time.

Redick has served as an analyst for ESPN since his retirement from the NBA. He began doing studio work before working his way up to become an in-game analyst this past season.

The Lakers are coming off of a first-round exit in the playoffs to the No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets that saw them fire Darvin Ham after only two seasons. They also bowed out in the playoffs against Denver in 2023, albeit that time in the Western Conference Finals.

This offseason is a pivotal one in LA with star LeBron James facing a decision on his $51.4 million player option for the upcoming season. The 39-year-old could become a free agent if he wanted or sign a deal that gives the Lakers more room to work with in free agency.

If the Lakers would indeed like to make another run at a championship with James and Anthony Davis, getting a coach the players are on board with will be paramount. Perhaps that could be JJ Redick.