Los Angeles Lakers reportedly hire JJ Redick as next coach on four-year deal despite inexperience
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Published 20/06/2024 at 22:10 GMT+1
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly hired JJ Redick as the team's new head coach, a month after Darvin Ham was fired for losing in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. ESPN analyst and former player Redick was offered the job on Thursday morning, with Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss deciding to hire him despite his lack of experience in coaching at the NBA level.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly hired JJ Redick as the team's new head coach, agreeing to a four-year contract despite his inexperience.
Redick, who played 15 years in the NBA before becoming an analyst for ESPN, was reportedly offered the job on Thursday morning after meetings with general manager Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss over the weekend.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Redick's ability "to connect with players and his basketball IQ" sealed the deal for Pelinka, who aims to surround Redick "with an elite coaching staff" to help him ease into his first coaching job.
The Lakers turned to the 39-year-old after failing to lure UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley with a six-year, $70 million contract that he turned down.
LeBron James' own future in LA has been clouded with his son Bronny entering the NBA Draft, but it is believed that LeBron's next side "will not be determined by which team selects Bronny James in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft."
The Lakers exited this year's NBA Playoffs in the first-round after a 4-1 series loss to the Denver Nuggets. Darvin Ham was subsequently fired and LeBron's future was cast into doubt.
Redick has no experience of coaching in the NBA, but his proximity to James, with whom he co-hosts a basketball podcast, appeared to put him in a good position in the hiring process.
Although it is believed that the 39-year-old forward was uninvolved in the hiring process.
The Lakers have yet to make any announcement regarding Redick's hiring.
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