The Lakers are undergoing big changes with their new head coach.
After a dramatic coaching search, the Lakers signed JJ Redick to a four-year contract on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Redick, 39, is co-host of the “Mind the Game” podcast with Lakers star LeBron James, a potential free agent.
Redick, who has no coaching experience, was most recently an ESPN analyst, co-casting the NBA Finals with Mike Breen and Doris Burke.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka offered Redick the job on Thursday morning, citing Redick’s “ability to connect with players and his basketball IQ.” According to ESPN:.
The Lakers offered University of Connecticut coach Dan Hurley a six-year, $70 million contract, but Hurley opted to stay in Storrs to try for a third consecutive championship after winning consecutive national championships.
Redick retired three years ago after playing 15 seasons in the NBA, but was known as a shooter, with a career success rate of 41.5% on three-point shots.
The former Duke University star, who was selected 11th overall by the Magic in the 2006 NBA Draft, played seven seasons in Orlando before stints with the Bucks, Clippers, 76ers, Pelicans and Mavericks, averaging 12.8 points for his career.
He averaged a career-high 18.1 points with the 76ers in 2018-19.
Redick had been rumored to be in the running for the Lakers’ head coaching job since the Lakers fired Darvin Ham after their first-round playoff loss to the Nuggets in five games.
The 39-year-old James holds a player option for the 2024-25 season and has yet to formally decide his future, but the appointment of his friend Redick as coach of the Lakers appears to increase the likelihood he will stay.
Anthony Davis is a top star when healthy, having played a career-high 76 games last season, but injuries will continue to be a concern as the 31-year-old gets older.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
