The Lakers are still in the very early stages of their coaching search, but multiple reports are pointing to JJ Redick as the early leader.
As they enter their search for a third head coach in the last five years, the Lakers have been particularly deliberate in their search. It’s like a result of many things, from the importance of getting this hiring right to potentially waiting out a certain LA-based head coach and his situation across the hallway.
However, the longer the Lakers wait, the more information about their thought process heading into the search comes out, and the same thing keeps coming out: JJ Redick is not just a legitimate candidate, he appears to be the favorite early on.
Over the last couple of days as the Lakers have started their interview process, multiple reports have indicated that Redick is the early leader, perhaps most notable of those coming from Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
“I said last week in my mailbag that if I had to pick a candidate most likely to get the head coaching position, I would pick Redick. I stand by that. I still think that he is the slight favorite among the candidate pool, though, again, that could always change during the interview process. Maybe someone really impresses the Lakers and takes that designation from him but right now, I believe Redick is slightly ahead of the field and if I was asked the question again today who the most likely hire is, I would pick Redick again.”
He was certainly not alone in that proclamation. While no one is outright saying Redick is the clear favorite — even if there was a report that he is among the initial group of leaders — multiple reporters are certainly hinting at it, including longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein in his Substack.
“The Lakers’ search is only just now ramping up, but the distinct vibe circulating among the front office, coaching and agent masses gathered in Chicago for this week’s NBA Draft combine is that Redick should be classified as the early favorite if you are determined to pinpoint one.
A belief is already bubbling in coaching circles that the job might well be his to lose in the interview process despite Redick’s lack of prior coaching experience beyond youth basketball.”
And if you needed further proof that everyone is saying the same thing, Jake Fischer also said the same thing in one of his latest pieces on Yahoo Sports.
Los Angeles is said to hold an affinity for 15-year NBA veteran JJ Redick, according to league figures with knowledge of the situation. Redick, as a podcaster and television analyst, has thrust himself to the top of the coaching candidate ranks, having met with Toronto last year and already with Charlotte this spring, sources said, before the Hornets hired Celtics assistant Charles Lee.
If one person is saying it, then maybe it’s just scuttle. If three different, respected reporters are saying it, then there is smoke to that fire.
Now, having a leader before the interviews even start should probably not mean a ton. Maybe someone blows them away in the interview process or Redick fails to impress, though that feels unlikely, and the order changes.
It’s also not like the Lakers are making this decision blind, though. They have sought outside advice in the form of Mike Krzyzewski, former Duke and Team USA coach. Now, that’s not exactly unbiased advice considering he coached Redick, but they’re at least seeking other opinions rather than just those inside the front office already.
This isn’t a done deal and there’s quite a bit of time between now and when the Lakers would hire a head coach. But heading into the interview process there appears to be a very clear leader, even if no one will completely outright say it.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
