"Did you just break the news?": Jalen Brunson ponders JJ Redick's fate as Josh Hart gives verdict on coaching future
The LA Lakers' hunt for a new head coach is one of the NBA's hottest topics and whether JJ Redick will be the man to fill that role remains one of the biggest questions. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson talked about Redick and his possible transition into coaching in their podcast, the 'Roommates Show.'
Hart, who got a chance to play with Redick on the New Orleans Pelicans was asked about his thoughts on the retired sharpshooters style. Hart gave his former teammate some high praise by saying that he'll be fantastic tactically as well as in establishing a relationship with his players.
He then added that Redick will definitely land a job as a coach "in the next couple of years."
"Did you just break the news that he's not coaching?" Brunson asked after Hart's statement on Redick's future employment status.
Hart simply responded by throwing back a question, asking his New York Knicks teammate, "Did he get a job yet? No."
"People can infer that you just broke the news that he's not coaching," Brunson replied.
Josh Hart responded by clarifying that he did not break the news on whether or not JJ Redick will become the Lakers head coach this summer. Afterward, Hart reiterated that he believes Redick will become a head coach in the future.
JJ Redick played in the NBA from 2006-2021. He never earned any All-Star nods or other personal accolades but he was a highly coveted talent thanks to his elite shooting and his high IQ.
Since retiring from playing, he has further displayed his fantastic basketball knowledge through his job as an analyst as well as in his podcasts, especially on 'Mind the Game' which he co-hosts with LeBron James.
Also read: "It’s almost the Steve Kerr path": Carmelo Anthony endorses JJ Redick as potential coach for LeBron and Lakers
JJ Redick is competing with two other finalists for the Lakers' head coaching job
The reception of the announcement that JJ Redick was a candidate for the LA Lakers' open head coaching position was mostly positive. Fans were excited that he could get an opportunity to display his basketball IQ.
However, he isn't the only person whom the LA front office is looking at to replace Darvin Ham. Initially, championship-winning head coach Mike Budenholzer as well as Kenny Atkinson were among the candidates. However, Budenholzer ended up signing with the Suns while Atkinson remains one of the Golden State Warriors' assistants.
Currently, former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego is among the finalists competing with Redick. During his four-season tenure with the Hornets, He compiled a 138-163 record. He also has a 10-20 record as the Orlando Magic's interim head coach in 2015.
The other finalist for the Lakers head coaching position is UConn's current head coach Dan Hurley. Hurley has never coached in the NBA but he has won multiple accolades as well as a number of championships with the Huskies.