JJ Redick will be next coach of Los Angeles Lakers: Reports

Los Angeles Lakers are expected to hire former star JJ Redick following the NBA Finals. Lakers reporter Anthony F. Irwin tweeted today the news that many had been waiting for since UConn basketball head coach Dan Hurley turned down Los Angeles' offer to return to Storrs. Irwin stated, "Listening to it is done. JJ Redick will be the next head coach of the Lakers. I'm going to talk about it live." 

Redick was on the ESPN broadcast crew during the NBA Finals, which Jovan Buha of The Athletic speculated may have slowed the Lakers' hiring process. However, Redick looks to be free of media responsibilities as of right now, following Boston Celtics' victory against the Dallas Mavericks last night, which concluded the series and the season. Hurley then emerged as the top candidate, even meeting with the Lakers in person in Los Angeles. Before retiring in 2021, JJ Redick spent 15 years in the NBA, primarily with the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. 

J J Redick connected to the league through his popular podcasting

Redick elected to retire from the NBA, but he remained connected to the league through his popular podcasting endeavors and his role as an ESPN media figure. Redick moved to a place on ESPN's top broadcasting crew during the 2023-24 season, when Doc Rivers, who had mentored Redick when he was with the Clippers, departed his job as a commentator to coach the Milwaukee Bucks. Redick has previously featured on "First Take" and provided secondary color commentary on the network's NBA broadcasts.

Redick ended up calling his first NBA Finals as a result of Rivers' exit, but in the postseason, he was mentioned as a potential head coach option for the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers. Former Duke player Redick was reportedly a contender for the Hornets' head coaching position prior to Charles Lee, the assistant coach for the Boston Celtics, being hired.