JJ Redick to be named Lakers’ next head coach

The Los Angeles Lakers have found their man. ESPN’s JJ Redick will be the illustrious franchise’s next head coach.

The network’s resident NBA insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, broke the news on Redick’s hire on Thursday.

“JJ Redick has agreed on a four-year contract to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers,” Wojnarowski posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.

ESPN Sources: JJ Redick has agreed on a four-year contract to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Rob Pelinka offered job this morning and Redick’s started working on a staff to surround himself with experience. pic.twitter.com/G66eVFRALp

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2024

Redick has worked at ESPN since 2021, where he’s served as an on-air analyst. He recently got promoted to the No. 1 crew this year following Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, and later Doc Rivers’ exists from the network. He’s also held a spot as a podcast host but doesn’t have any NBA coaching experience. So that makes this hire very intriguing.

Redick was an absolute superstar at Duke University. The 2006 National Player of the Year is one of the best college basketball players of the 21st Century. Redick went on to have a lengthy career in the pros. He played most prominently for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers.

The Lakers and their decision to hire Redick will likely receive both attention and criticism. LA is a proud franchise, obviously, but there’s been some resentment in how the team has been run. While they’ve had success, it’s been a while since Los Angeles has been at the league’s summit. We’ll see if this move is what they need to get to the top. But skepticism may remain.

[Adrian Wojnarowski]