Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the last several weeks, we wrote columns every weekday breaking down the biggest questions about every player on the Lakers. Today, we wrap up with JJ Redick.
It’s been a while since the Lakers employed a coach who has stayed with them for more than three seasons. A coach the organization genuinely believes in and doesn’t constantly put on the hot seat. JJ Redick has been everything the Lakers hoped for since they hired him in June 2024, as he has become
the franchise’s best coach since Phil Jackson departed in 2011.
Redick has led the Lakers to 50 wins each season. The 29th head coach in franchise history is a big reason why Los Angeles hasn’t been in play-in territory over the last two years — a sight they saw a little too often before Redick’s arrival.
What has made Redick’s tenure with the Lakers so productive is the way his strengths have consistently shone through. He may have his flaws — we’ll get to what he has to improve later — but it’s no coincidence the Lakers have had a high-powered offense since the proud Duke University alumnus took over.
Redick’s attention to detail has also stood out based on the structure the team abides by and the way they run their sets. He’s a great communicator who can connect with his players, which is why he often has the group’s buy-in. He’s competitive and has shown he can respond to adversity. These are the foundational qualities of a championship coach.
That said, the incoming third-year coach still has a lot to prove. This year, he no longer has his former podcast co-host and captain LeBron James on his side. He’s also won just one playoff series since becoming the Lakers coach and the team’s defense has been below average over the last two years.
While Redick may not be in the hot seat, there’s always pressure on him to be better and deliver at a high level.
What is his best-case scenario?
The best-case scenario for Redick is to lead the Lakers to a championship. This expectation may be extremely high, but it’s also what happens when you have arguably the toughest coaching job in the league.
In order to achieve that, Redick needs to coach the team to at least a top-five finish in the Western Conference, which is achievable provided they stay healthy. In the playoffs, he has to show that he can indeed hang with the best coaches in the NBA right now.
The best-case scenario for Redick is also that he figures out how to fill the void LeBron left and bring the best out of this new roster, consisting of nine new faces following a major offseason roster overhaul. The good news is that this challenge isn’t new.
If Redick can continue to keep Lakers’ offense at an elite level while at the same time improving their defense to above average, then that’ll be extremely good for his success. In terms of in-game management, Redick has faced criticism for overplaying Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves last regular season, hence the soft tissue injuries to both that lasted until the playoffs. How he manages his two superstars as well as everyone else’s minutes will be a point of emphasis this season.
Every season brings its share of twists and challenges. For Redick, navigating those moments and guiding the Lakers through them into contention will be key to his success this year.
What is his worst-case scenario?
The worst-case scenario is JJ underperforms to the point that it affects the team’s overall performance. That would mean the Lakers finishing below the top five in the Western Conference and barely being competitive in the playoffs. A lot would have gone wrong if that’s the case come April.
Another horrible scenario is if the team doesn’t buy into Redick’s system and principles or in short, if he loses the locker room. That’s what happened to the Lakers’ previous two coaches and it led to their jobs being taken away from them.
Lastly, it would be unfortunate if Redick’s relationship with his superstars turn sour because that’s the most integral one for his success on this team.
What is his most likely role on the team?
As the head coach, Redick is both the leader and the connector of the team. He is responsible for establishing the system, principles and core beliefs that give the Lakers the foundation to compete for a championship. He also serves as the bridge between the front office and the players, while remaining the face of the team through the highs and lows that come with an NBA season.
Redick has shown he can handle the responsibilities that come with the job. Now, the challenge is taking the Lakers from a team with championship aspirations to one competing for it.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
