REDI TO GO
NBA fans convinced they know new LA Lakers head coach after Charles Lee joins Charlotte Hornets from Boston Celtics
Redick recently opened up about his potential head-coaching venture
NBA fans think JJ Redick will become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after he didn't get hired by the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets announced Thursday that ex-Boston Celtics assistant Charles Lee would take charge of the team.
2
2
Lee reportedly signed a four-year deal with Charlotte, per ESPN.
During the month-long search for Steve Clifford's replacement, Redick, 39, was said to be a strong candidate for the team's head coaching vacancy.
The ex-NBA sharpshooter, who now serves as an analyst for ESPN, has also been linked to the Lakers job since they fired Darvin Ham last week.
And with the Duke icon remaining on the market after the Hornets filled the role, NBA Twitter speculated he could be on his way to Los Angeles.
READ MORE ON THE NBA
"JJ Redick to the Lakers confirmed," one wrote.
"JJ to the Lakers," another added.
"Redick a Laker," a third said.
"It looks like JJ Redick is going to the Lakers," one wrote.
Most read in Basketball
Last week's reports claimed that LeBron James could "handpick" Ham's successor as the Lakers are desperate to keep the 20-time All-Star on the team.
James, 39, can hit free agency this summer thanks to his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 NBA season.
JJ Redick likens Victor Wembanyama to NBA icons Steph Curry and Tim Duncan - and uses wild Drake story to back up claim
And Redick has strong ties to LeBron with the two launching a new podcast, Mind the Game, in March.
But while the ESPN analyst is known for his high basketball IQ, he has no prior coaching experience besides training his 9-year-old son Knox's team.
Redick explained why he's intrigued by a potential venture into coaching during a recent appearance on the Road Trippin' podcast.
"I would guess that there’s a part of you, and it’s a very, very, small part of me that misses playing," he said.
NBA Western Conference playoffs
First Round
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) 4-0 New Orleans Pelicans (8)
Los Angeles Clippers (4) 2-4 Dallas Mavericks (5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) 4-0 Phoenix Suns (6)
Denver Nuggets (2) 4-1 Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Conference Semifinals
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (2)
"Like, actually playing basketball.
"There’s a small part of me that misses shooting a basketball or coming off a screen and shooting. But it’s a small part.
"What I really miss is the juice. I miss the action, I miss the competition, I miss leadership, I miss being on a team."
Redick added: "The part about coaching in general, it's a very general statement, is the things that I miss and the things that I love doing that involves coaching.
Read More on The US Sun
"That all is part of coaching. That’s all."
The Lakers fired Ham after a first-round NBA playoffs exit in his second season with the team.