After firing Mr. Darvin Ham, the Los Angeles Lakers entered a journey of looking for a new captain that lasted nearly 2 months.
After many rumors, connections with notable candidates and even a “failed handshake” with NCAA basketball star Dan Hurley, the yellow and purple team has finalized the leader for the new season.
Reputable journalist Adrian Wojnarowski quoted a source saying that former NBA player and analyst JJ Redick has reached an agreement to become the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Redick’s contract has a term of 4 years with an undisclosed contract value.
At 39 years old this year, JJ Redick will become one of the youngest coaches in the tournament. JJ even entered the NBA later than the club’s number 1 star, LeBron James.
The special thing is that he doesn’t have any coaching experience other than… his son’s football team. However, Redick still impressed in two interviews with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He shows a deep understanding of tactics, how to perceive situations and analyze runs. JJ Redick is also a name known to fans through the podcast series with LeBron James, specializing in the tactical aspect of basketball.
Before ending the journey to find a head coach by choosing JJ Redick, the Los Angeles Lakers made an offer to the number 1 candidate in the team’s eyes, Dan Hurley. This is the most talented coach in NCAA basketball at this time, leading UConn to two consecutive championship trophies.
However, Mr. Hurley rejected the Los Angeles Lakers’ 6-year contract worth $70 million to stay in the NCAA, hoping to defend the championship with UConn for another season.
After failing to recruit Dan Hurley, the Lakers returned to choosing JJ Redick and held another direct interview with this former NBA player. According to the prestigious website The Athletic, the Lakers were extremely impressed with Redick’s performance.
“The Lakers are quite enamored with Redick’s development potential, seeing him as someone who could follow in the direction of legendary coach Pat Riley.
JJ Redick is considered by the Los Angeles Lakers as an option for both the present and the future, trying to win the championship as soon as possible and still be suitable enough to develop the team in the long run.
Pat Riley spent 9 years playing in the NBA, then moved to become a commentator for the Los Angeles Lakers (1977-1979) before joining the LA team’s coaching staff as an assistant (1979) and then being promoted to as head coach (1981)”, The Athletic wrote.
Accepting the position at the Los Angeles Lakers, JJ Redick will play the role of successor to Darvin Ham, the coach who was fired after 2 seasons in office. In the most recent season, the Lakers ended the Regular Season in the Play-in group with a record of 47-35.
Having overcome the Play-in series to enter the Playoffs, the yellow and purple team was defeated by the Denver Nuggets after 5 matches. The consequence of being eliminated in the first round was that Mr. Darvin Ham had his contract terminated 2 years early.
