The Lakers once again found themselves in a similar position in conducting a head coaching search, returning to a name that had been on their list for some time.
On Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said his colleague JJ Reddick is on the team’s radar as the search ramps up.
“The Lakers’ front office, Rob Pelinka, they’re going to be in Chicago for the league’s draft combine,” Wojnarowski said. “They’re going to start asking for permission to talk to coaches and assistants around the league.
“But one name the Lakers are digging deep into in their initial research here is my ESPN colleague JJ Redick. There’s no doubt he’s someone the Lakers have interest in. They have made numerous calls to try to find out more about him, but this is expected to be an extensive and lengthy investigation.”
Redick, 39, has no coaching experience.
Although his playing days only ended three years ago, he established himself in the media industry through podcasting and as an ESPN analyst alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke.
Redick was selected 11th overall in the 2006 NBA Draft out of Duke University and began his 15-year NBA career with the Magic. He spent the longest time in Orlando, seven seasons.
He also played for the Clippers, 76ers, and Pelicans, and finished his career with the Mavericks for just one season. Redick was in the top 20 for Most Improved Player of the Year in 2010 and Sixth Man of the Year in 2011 and 2013.
Redick is averaging 12.8 points on 44.7 percent shooting for his career.
Other candidates the Lakers are considering include Kenny Atkinson, David Adelman, James Borrego and Mika Noli.
The Lakers have struggled to find a long-term coach, as no coach has lasted more than three seasons since Phil Jackson, who led the team to five NBA Finals championships from 1999 to 2011. .
Darvin Ham only had two seasons left, and his tenure was cut short after they lost to the defending champion Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
