J.J. Redick Will Receive Formal Interview For Lakers Coaching Job

Analyst and former NBA player J.J. Redick will formally interview for the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching job this week, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Redick has been an unofficial candidate for the position for weeks but could reportedly move to the top of the candidates list with a strong performance.

Rumors around Redick died down somewhat last week when the Lakers turned their attention to UConn men’s basketball coach and reigning back-to-back national champion Dan Hurley. Despite offering him a $70 million deal, however, Hurley ultimately chose to stay with the Huskies. Redick is now squarely in the conversation once more.

Much of the early speculation involving Redick, who has never coached before, came as a result of his close relationship with Lakers star LeBron James. With Bronny James declaring for the draft, James has his own off-season decisions to make, but his analytical podcast with Redick has been immensely popular and many wanted to put the pair together in Los Angeles.

Despite frequently appearing on television, Redick has been quiet about the potential promotion, and it is unclear how far talks have progressed to this point. Wojnarowski is now reporting that the former NBA journeyman is a serious coaching candidate.

It’s hard to classify Redick as anything but a gamble for the Lakers. Though he may respected among NBA fans for his knowledge of the game, the fact remains that he has no coaching experience. In the past, coaches on James’ teams have sometimes been accused of taking a backseat to the veteran leader, but Redick would still be expected to lead the team in an unfamiliar role.

The Lakers are coming off an underwhelming season, in which they failed to successfully build around James and fellow star Anthony Davis. Los Angeles posed no challenge to the Nuggets in the postseason, losing in the first round in five games, and parted ways with former coach Darvin Ham at the end of the season.