Austin Reaves breaks silence over JJ Redicks' move to Los Angeles Lakers

According to Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers have added a "basketball genius" to their coaching staff by adding former ESPN analyst J.J. Redick. The Lakers signed Redick to a four-year contract for around $8 million per year, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Sam Amick, and Jovan Buha.

According to Bleacher Report, "I've gotten to know JJ a little bit, going on his podcast during the middle of the year," the Lakers guard told Cierra Clark of Arkansas' THV11. "He's a basketball genius, I think as everybody knows, and I think he's gonna make a good coach and I can't wait to get to work with him."

J.J. Redick, who retired from the NBA after 15 seasons in 2021, made his ESPN debut the same year. He had no prior head coaching experience before joining the Lakers. Reaves said that Redick texted him yesterday, asking him to "get on a call." "I just can't wait to put our brains together, and go and have a good year," Reaves went on.

Austin Reaves' agent spoke out in support of his hire

Los Angeles Lakers initially wanted UConn head coach Dan Hurley, who turned down a six-year, $70 million contract to stay in the NCAA. Redick may not have been the Lakers' initial pick, but according to reports the team's ultimate choice was supported by Anthony Davis, and "other key players were supportive of the hiring."

His first season as an NBA head coach puts him in what may be one of the most difficult positions in the league. The Lakers' front office has demonstrated that if they do not win right away, they may become impatient with their head coaches.

Reaves may have been one of those guys after listening to Redick's podcast. Following early speculations that Redick might replace former Lakers coach Darvin Ham, Reaves' agent Aaron Reilly spoke out in support of his hire. The 26-year-old guard averaged a career-high 15.9 points and 5.5 assists per game, and he hopes to better those figures under his new coach.