Lakers to Hire JJ Redick as Next Head Coach, Per Report

Former NBA participant JJ Redick, identified for his capturing prowess, has agreed to change into the subsequent head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-year deal, ESPN reported on Thursday.

The Duke College product and 15-year NBA veteran has no teaching expertise and replaces Darvin Ham, who was fired after two seasons. Most just lately, Redick served as an NBA analyst on ESPN, showing on SportsCenter, Get Up, First Take and as a member of ESPN’s NBA broadcast crew.

Redick already has established chemistry with Lakers star LeBron James, as the 2 co-host the Thoughts the Recreation podcast that premiered in March. Throughout the eight episodes launched, they talk about the state of the NBA and decide one another’s basketball minds. The evaluation they’ve given whereas breaking down performs could function a preview of the dynamic the 2 could have with Redick on the sidelines subsequent season.

Earlier than deciding to rent Redick, the Lakers reportedly pursued UConn coach Dan Hurley, however Hurley turned down a reported six-year, $70 million provide from LA to chase a 3rd straight nationwide championship with the Huskies.

Redick’s repute as a sharpshooter is predicated on his offensive prowess. He’s a profession 41.5% shooter from 3-point vary. One among his greatest seasons was 2015-16 with the Clippers when he shot a career-best 47.5% from deep. The Clippers misplaced within the first spherical to Portland.

Redick made a complete of $116.4 million in his profession, in keeping with Spotrac.

Over the past decade, former NBA gamers with little to no teaching expertise have assumed head teaching roles with various outcomes.

Former Suns star Steve Nash had no prior NBA teaching expertise earlier than Brooklyn employed him in 2020. He was subsequently fired seven video games into the 2022-23 marketing campaign and went 94-67 throughout his three seasons. Brooklyn made the playoffs in his first two seasons below Nash and superior so far as the Jap Convention semifinals.

Former Lakers guard Derek Fisher took over as head coach of the New York Knicks additionally with none NBA teaching expertise. His groups went 40-96 throughout his two seasons, lacking the playoffs in each.

Jason Kidd has been some of the profitable NBA gamers with out prior expertise to transition to teaching. His lone season as Brooklyn’s head coach ended with a 44-38 file and a loss within the Jap Convention semifinals in 2013-14. He then spent 4 years in Milwaukee and mentored a younger Giannis Antetokounmpo. Below Kidd, the Bucks by no means superior past the primary spherical. After two seasons as a Lakers assistant, issues clicked for Kidd in Dallas because the Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals, the place they misplaced to the Boston Celtics.