The Los Angeles Lakers are acutely aware that the day will come—soon—when they must navigate life without LeBron James. However, the franchise is keen to delay that inevitability to maintain their competitive edge in the NBA’s loaded Western Conference, especially with powerhouses like the Dallas Mavericks to contend with.
James, as ever, holds the reins of his playing future. The 39-year-old is poised to decline his player option for the next season, entering the free agent market in July. While it is widely expected that the Lakers will eventually re-sign the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James’s return will come with stipulations. One such condition might involve the franchise hiring his preferred replacement for current head coach Darvin Ham.
Former player and current analyst J.J. Redick is the betting favorite to replace Ham as the Lakers’ next head coach. As speculation intensifies, many believe Los Angeles will appoint the 39-year-old as its 29th head coach following the 2024 NBA Finals. This potential move has fans questioning how long this plan has been in motion.
Redick co-hosts a podcast with James, titled Mind the Game, and a particular clip from a May episode has resurfaced amidst the coaching rumors. In the episode, Redick asked James if any coach, front office person, or analytics staff member from the Lakers had ever discussed his shot profile with him. James’s blunt response, “f*** no,” was seen as a damning indictment of Ham. Coincidentally, Ham was fired two days after the episode aired.
With some Lakers fans already touting Redick as a new Pat Riley, his direct line of questioning to LeBron could offer insights into how he might approach remaking one of the NBA’s most storied teams. The Lakers last won a title following a full 82-game season in 2010, and a fresh perspective could be pivotal.
Given Redick and James’s notable rapport on Mind the Game, it seems increasingly likely that Redick’s appointment is just a matter of time. This move could be seen as the Lakers acquiescing to LeBron’s wishes, ensuring the team’s success while keeping their star player satisfied.
The Lakers are at a critical juncture as they prepare for the possibility of re-signing LeBron James while potentially bringing in J.J. Redick as the new head coach. These decisions will shape the future of the franchise, determining whether they can maintain their competitive edge in the NBA’s Western Conference and beyond.
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