After striking out on Dan Hurley, the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly agreed to a four-year deal to make JJ Redick the franchise’s next head coach.
ESPN reported that, after a meeting over the weekend and conversations throughout the week, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka offered Redick the job on Thursday morning.
Redick comes to Los Angeles from ESPN, where he works as an NBA analyst – calling games during the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Mavericks.
Despite not having any previous coaching experience, Redick was picked for his basketball IQ and ability to connect with the players – with Pelinka believing an elite coaching staff will help Redick adjust quickly to the job. The soon-to-be 40-year-old is also close with Lakers superstar LeBron James, with whom he co-hosts a podcast.
Redick had an extremely decorated college career at Duke, twice winning ACC Player of the Year and earning All-American nods, while also winning the AP Player of the Year in the 2005-06 season.
He went on to have a 15-year NBA career, primarily as a sharpshooter, and has worked as an analyst since his career ended in 2021.