The Los Angeles Lakers have finally filled their head coaching vacancy by appointing JJ Redick on a four-year contract. This decision has garnered reactions from various quarters, including from franchise legend Magic Johnson, who has shared his candid thoughts on the new hire.
Johnson, a five-time NBA champion, expressed cautious optimism about Redick’s potential to succeed in his new role. “I’m cautiously optimistic that this new hire is a success for both the Lakers and JJ Redick. I enjoyed watching him as a player—great 3-point shooting, high basketball IQ, passion for the game, and mental and physical toughness. If he can bring how he played professionally to the Lakers—this could work out! But will his transition from star basketball player to head coach end up like Steve Kerr, Jason Kidd, Ty Lue, or Doc Rivers, or the former NBA players turned coaches who weren’t successful?” he remarked.
Johnson didn’t stop at evaluating Redick’s potential but also underscored the importance of strengthening the team’s roster. He urged Lakers’ General Manager Rob Pelinka to make significant roster improvements to stay competitive in the fiercely challenging Western Conference. “Naming a head coach was just the first step. Even bigger than naming JJ Redick as the Head Coach, Rob Pelinka’s next step must be to improve the roster if we are going to compete against all the powerhouse teams in the West like the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Suns, Thunder, Spurs, and the Clippers,” Johnson emphasized.
Redick steps into this role with no prior coaching experience at any competitive level, a fact that raises eyebrows. However, his deep understanding of the game, showcased through his podcasts and ESPN appearances, has given the Lakers confidence in his capabilities. This hiring reflects a long-term vision, akin to gambling on Redick’s potential to grow into a successful head coach.
Lakers Think Redick Could Be the Next Pat Riley
During the early stages of the Lakers’ head coaching search, Shams Charania reported that the Lakers see Redick as having the potential to become the next Pat Riley—a coach who made the leap from player to broadcaster to coach. This comparison was reinforced upon his hiring, with internal discussions also drawing parallels to Steve Kerr and Erik Spoelstra.
“He’s drawn internal comparisons to a young Pat Riley as a coaching prospect who jumped from playing to the broadcast booth to the coaching chair (though Riley spent two years as a Lakers assistant before taking the top job). Los Angeles is confident he can be its version of Erik Spoelstra or Steve Kerr—a culture-setter who can grow with the franchise for over a decade,” noted a Lakers insider.
For Redick’s tenure to be successful, the Lakers need to exercise patience with his development. However, this patience may be tested, given the presence of stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who are in their 30s and unlikely to be around for the long-term rebuilding process. James, in particular, is set to become a free agent this summer and is expected to decline his player option. He has advised the team to make decisions independently of his situation due to his age.
Nevertheless, James will play a crucial role in supporting Redick in the locker room and ensuring he is set up for success. The Lakers’ commitment to Redick signals a strategic move towards fostering a new coaching talent who could potentially shape the franchise’s future, much like their legendary coaches of the past.