Ashley Nicole uses wild 'flirting' analogy to warn JJ Redick to avoid the Lakers' coaching job: "Nobody likes No.2"
The LA Lakers need to hire a coach. While the storied franchise reportedly offered the two-time NCAA D1 Tournament champion Dan Hurley a $70 million contract, he declined, leaving the team searching for a new coach. Although there has been considerable talk surrounding NBA vet JJ Redick taking the job, Ashley Nicole Moss cautioned the sharpshooter against being the team's second option.
Redick had emerged as an early favorite to replace Darvin Ham this offseason after the team's first-round exit from the playoffs. Of course, the situation raised eyebrows around the league given that Redick and LeBron James currently have a podcast together.
After initial reports indicated that Redick was the favorite to land the Lakers' coaching job, the focus then shifted to Hurley. However, with Hurley set to return to UConn, many are wondering whether JJ Redick will wind up as LA's coach after all.
During CBS Sports' Tuesday morning segment regarding Hurley's decision to return to UConn, the Forbes 30 Under 30 member weighed in. Using a hilarious dating analogy, she cautioned JJ Redick on taking the Lakers' coaching job.
"I was in college once upon a time. There was this guy that I liked, and he was flirting with me, but he was also flirting with another woman. And apparently it was enough to where he offered that woman his courtship. Do you want to be my girlfriend? And the relationship didn't work out for him and this girl.
"And he came spinning the block and said, you know what, Ashley? Let's go ahead and try to make this work this time around. But I'm not a consolation prize. I am not a second option. And If I am JJ Reddick, I feel a type of way. ... Nobody likes number two."
Looking at the latest regarding the LA Lakers' coaching search amid talk of JJ Redick stepping in to replace Darvin Ham
The recent Dan Hurley saga has been viewed by many as a setback for LA. In addition to the fact that Hurley is viewed as an accomplished coach, there has been talk of Hurley using LA's interest as a negotiating tool against UConn.
Despite that, the show must go on, and according to longtime NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the team is eager to hire a coach by draft night.
This would mean that LA has just over two weeks to hire a new coach before round one of the draft on Jun. 26. According to Wojnarowski, the Lakers will resume the coaching search with James Borrego as a potential candidate.
The longtime assistant coach, who had a four-year run as a head coach for the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-2022, is also drawing interest from Cleveland, however. Following the departure of JB Bickerstaff, there has been talk of Borrego being named the Cavaliers' head coach.
If a deal comes to fruition, it would mark yet another setback for LA in their coaching search, however, JJ Redick still remains a potential candidate. According to Wojnarowski, in the wake of Dan Hurley rejecting the Lakers' offer, the team is expected to conduct a formal interview with Redick for the position.
While Redick could heed Ashley Nicole Moss' advice, so far, it has continued to look in recent weeks as though it's a matter of when he's named head coach in LA.