Lakers officially hire JJ Redick as the team’s next head coach
After weeks of speculation and leaks, former NBA veteran and current ESPN NBA analyst and broadcaster JJ Redick has officially been hired as the Los Angeles Lakers’ next head coach, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report Thursday.
According to Wojnarowski, the deal is worth up to four years. He also notes that Redick is “working on a staff to surround himself with experience.” There were leaks in late May about his potential staff, which could include Boston Celtics Sam Cassell and Dallas Mavericks assistant Jared Dudley, though nothing has been official yet.
The Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham after two seasons in early May. From the jump, outside of the 96-hour chaotic news cycle of UConn head coach and two-time reigning national champion Dan Hurley possibly becoming the next Lakers head man, Redick’s name was routinely linked to Los Angeles as the likely frontrunner.
The former 15-year NBA veteran earns the job over former Charlotte Hornets head coach and current New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, who was next up in the head coaching search for most of the process.
Redick, who turns 40-years-old on June 24, does not have any coaching experience at any level–as an assistant or head coach. He joined Mike Breen and Doris Burke for ESPN’s lead NBA broadcast team this season while having guest appearances on First Take and hosting multiple podcasts, including one with Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.
There are now only two head coaching vacancies leaguewide: The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons.
***
This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.
Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch
Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube
Check out the Vendetta Shop
Click here for more NBA content
