Top 5 things JJ Redick needs to do first as Lakers HC
Former NBA player JJ Redick reportedly agreed to a four-year deal to become the LA Lakers’ head coach. Weeks before the news came out, most league observers already thought the hiring was inevitable. The Lakers, though, threw a curveball when they decided and then failed to lure UConn coach Dan Hurley to Hollywood.
Hurley eventually snubbed LA’s offer which didn’t make it surprising that Lakers GM Rob Pelinka quickly went after Redick. The former ESPN analyst now has one of the most high-profile and daunting jobs in all of sports. Whether LeBron James decides to stay or play elsewhere, Redick will be in the spotlight and will face considerable expectations next season.
Things JJ Redick has to address as the Lakers’ new coach
#5 Coaching Staff
One of the biggest criticisms JJ Redick had to overcome when his name first came as the LA Lakers’ target was coaching experience. He proved his mettle as an analyst but he has never guided a team on the sidelines in the NBA or college.
With that in mind, he will need at least one assistant coach who will have the experience to compensate for his lack of it. In Steve Kerr’s first season with the Golden State Warriors, he picked Alvin Gentry to be the associate head coach. Gentry has one of the most extensive experiences both as head and assistant coach.
One thing that JJ Redick might want to consider is an assistant coach that he has worked with before. Sticking to the Kerr-Gentry model, the two spent time together in Phoenix with the former as the GM and the latter as the head coach. Redick might want to follow that route.
Some of the veteran play callers that Redick could get are Terry Stotts, Dwane Casey, Mike D’Antoni, Alvin Gentry and Stan Van Gundy. “SVG” would be interesting as he was Redick’s coach in his first five seasons in the NBA.
#4 Upgrade the point guard position
Over the last two years, the LA Lakers were booted out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. One of the biggest problems LA had in both series was the play of point guard D’Angelo Russell. “D-Lo” wasn’t as bad this year compared to his display in 2023 but the Nuggets still relentlessly hunted him on defense.
JJ Redick also said in an interview with “The Athletic” that he wants to unburden LeBron James from playmaking chores. Unsurprisingly, Redick wants to keep the oldest player in the NBA as fresh as possible for the playoffs. He will have to look for someone who can have a two-way impact on the team.
The Atlanta Hawks' pair of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray have been rumored to the Lakers for at least two years now. There should be other options that Redick may be interested in. Regardless of who he wants, it has to be someone with playmaking chops who is at least decent on defense.
Redick may not be able to address it immediately, but it should be on his priority list.