Report: JJ Redick Early Favorite To Land Lakers Coaching Job, Sam Cassell Is Legitimate Candidate To Watch

However, Sam Cassell is also a legitimate candidate to watch.

“The Lakers’ search is only just now ramping up, but the distinct vibe circulating among the front office, coaching and agent masses gathered in Chicago for this week’s NBA Draft combine is that Redick should be classified as the early favorite if you are determined to pinpoint one,” Stein wrote. “A belief is already bubbling in coaching circles that the job might well be his to lose in the interview process despite Redick’s lack of prior coaching experience beyond youth basketball.”

Redick and Lakers superstar LeBron James are podcast partners. Legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has become an unofficial resource for the Lakers since he coached Redick in college, according to NBA insiders Shams Charania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Cassell, one of the best point guards in NBA history, is currently an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics. He is represented by Klutch Sports Group, the agency that represents LeBron and Anthony Davis. 

“Cassell is a legitimate candidate to watch here, league sources say,” Stein wrote. “He is not only represented by Klutch Sports — which is the same agency, of course, that represents Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis — but Cassell is known to have a particularly good knack in the locker room when it comes to connecting with star players.”

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games. Denver swept Los Angeles in the 2023 Western Conference Finals. 

Los Angeles is seeking a coach who will command the locker room, hold players accountable, tirelessly gameplan and provide a level of structure. 

LeBron, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option, is expected to return to the Lakers. The King averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists this season while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line.