Former NBA guard and current ESPN analyst JJ Redick will be among those to interview for the Los Angeles Lakers coaching vacancy and may even be the favorite, per a report from The Athletic.
Redick also co-hosts a podcast with Lakers star LeBron James, and some will tell you that certainly does not hurt Redick's chances. Then again, James' agent said James is staying out of the coaching search.
"LeBron James and JJ Redick, they do a podcast together," agent Rich Paul told The Athletic. "That does not mean that (James) wants Redick as his head coach."
Boston Celtics assistant and former NBA guard Sam Cassell will also reportedly interview for the vacancy, as will ex-Charlotte Hornets head coach and current New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego. But this is just the start, as the Lakers are expected to cast a wide net.
Nonetheless, many believe that Redick has the inside track.
"Leaguewide, Redick — a former player and media analyst — has garnered buzz for the position," The Athletic wrote. "The Lakers are infatuated with Redick's potential, according to league sources, viewing him as a Pat Riley-like coaching prospect who could both help the franchise in the short term and lead it for years."
That's not all. Redick is also viewed as a NBA recent player who could command a locker room of veteran players.
"Sources close to the Lakers say Redick is seen as someone who is incredibly organized, communicates well, and displays the kind of attention to detail in his analysis that makes them comfortable hiring not only a first-time head coach, but someone who has spent no time at all on a high-level coaching staff," wrote Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily. "Redick's 14-year career as an impact player and his relationship with James leads them to believe he'll be able to hold players accountable, sources say."
