From podcast host to potential NBA head coach, former league sharpshooter JJ Redick is one of the hottest names in basketball right now as the 2024 offseason approaches on the horizon. According to Dave McMenamin on the Dan Patrick Show, Redick is also a potential candidate to take over as the Lakers’ next head coach.
“I do anticipate there will be a coaching change there. And then you have to make that decision of who that’s going to be. JJ certainly is a real candidate if they open up this coaching search, but there’s, I’d say, a half a dozen folks out there.”
Dave McMenamin (@Mcten) discusses the #Lakers future at Head Coach, including the possibility that they look at JJ Redick to replace Darvin Ham pic.twitter.com/fmoG4vniqh
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) May 2, 2024
After a season of chaos and inconsistency, Darvin’s hold on the locker room was already starting to slip. The last straw for his campaign was the Game 2 loss to the Nuggets when the Lakers gave up a 20-point lead down the stretch. While the franchise was able to avoid getting swept for the second straight season, they didn’t pose much of a challenge to the Nuggets this year either and lost in 5 games after dropping the first three.
Redick, who is a 15-year NBA veteran, is apparently one of the early candidates to replace Darvin this summer but his lack of head coaching experience makes him a potentially risky choice. On the other hand, his relationship with LeBron as a friend and podcast co-host could help ensure his loyalty for years to come. As a relatively young and relatable retired athlete, he knows how to earn the players’ respect and he’s still in touch with the methods that work.
Despite his inexperience, Redick could be effective in a coaching role due to his extensive basketball IQ, which has been put on full display through his works in the media on ESPN, “The Old Man & The Three,” and “Mind The Game.” Other potential candidates include top assistant Phil Handy and championship coach Mike Budenholzer.
The Los Angeles Lakers Are Making Changes
With the Lakers running out of time to capitalize on this current regime, they cannot afford to be patient with Darvin and hope he learns on the spot. Instead, they have no choice but to take action if they want to keep winning with LeBron and Davis at the helm. After finishing 7th in the West this season, with just a single playoff win, the Lakers are not going to accomplish much as presently constructed.
The biggest question of all is the situation with LeBron James. If he leaves the Lakers, or the NBA entirely, it will leave the franchise with no way to recover and it may force them to consider a total reset entirely. But if LeBron has at least a few more years left, which is what many expect, the Lakers still have time to help him go out with one last championship.
Fortunately, their cap situation is relatively flexible right now and several contracts are set to come off the books this summer. Their situation could even open the door for a big-time arrival in the form of quality role-players or even a star like Trae Young.
One way or another, changes will be made this offseason and the severity of those changes could determine how next season ultimately plays out. Only with a revamped roster and a new identity can the Lakers hope to contend with the Western elites and whoever they have as the coach (whether it’s Darvin or JJ) will need to have the proper personnel to really make a run.
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