The Los Angeles Lakers are still interviewing candidates for their head coaching job. Which is why they have deferred any announcements up until the NBA Finals conclude. But an Insider gave further clues suggesting that JJ Redick might have already won the race to be the Lakers head coach.
I will be very surprised if their next head coach is anybody but JJ Redick. Everything that I'm hearing is JJ Redick. From what I know he's doing some background, calling some assistant coaching candidates who might be able to join his staff. I'm pretty positive it will be JJ.NBA insider Chris Haynes on the Dan Patrick Show
Suggesting that the Lakers are already confirmed to announce JJ Redick as their next head coach. Searching for assistants means one is almost sure to get the job.
JJ Redick has the blessings of LeBron James. What more could be needed for the Los Angeles Lakers to see him as their next head coach? However, his tenure with ESPN calling plays during games has helped him tremendously. As has the podcast with James which has revealed how big of a basketball savant he is.
"I will be very surprised if their next Head Coach is anybody but JJ Redick. Everything that I'm hearing is JJ Redick. From what I know he's doing some background, calling some assistant coaching candidates who might be able to join his staff."
–@ChrisBHaynes on #Lakers next HC pic.twitter.com/XipwSlN6wo
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) May 29, 2024However, Redick will still need quality assistants to help coach the players. LeBron James might not need coaching, but the rest of the squad needs to be at or close to his level if they are to compete for a title or two. It seems another James favorite is on the verge of becoming one of those assistants.
JJ Redick might get Rajon Rondo as his assistant
Another news that dropped today was that former player Rajon Rondo is in the running to be one of the assistant coaches on the new staff.
Rumors of the Lakers' staffing plans have run throughout the league during the past two weeks, with some names most commonly mentioned including former head coach Scott Brooks and assistants Sam Cassell and Jared Dudley. Ex-Lakers guard Rajon Rondo has also been under consideration. According to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times
This means the Lakers could get one of the most intelligent basketball players to ever play the sport to coach their players. Rondo’s IQ has already got a cosign from several of his former championship-winning teammates.
Most important among them is what LeBron James feels about Rondo. The all-time leading scorer has time and again suggested that the way Rondo’s brain works, he is already ahead of his opponents. Add to that, Rondo will demand excellence from the players. Adjustability and accountability were the two biggest problems the Lakers faced this season.
This will bode well for the Los Angeles Lakers as they prepare to move into a post-LeBron James era. Coaching current-generation players with coaches who have just retired and are respected will be the best way forward.
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