JJ Redick's Rocky First Season with the Lakers
Lakers speculation: JJ Redick's job security following playoff fiasco
Redick's initial stint as the Los Angeles Lakers' head coach didn't exactly go as planned. The Minnesota Timberwolves exposed the Lakers' vulnerabilities in a devastating five-game opening round series.
Redick, in particular, had some bumps along the way. He made questionable moves like playing his starters for all 24 minutes of the second half in a loss during Game 4, almost took offense to a strategicquery before Game 5, and struggled to put a halt to Rudy Gobert's offensive surge in the final game of the series.
Given the result - the Lakers were tipped as favorites to win the series - some speculated that Redick's job might be at risk. But it seems he's hanging on tight.
As The Athletic's Jovan Buha and Sam Amick penned, Redick's tenure was largely positive - the Lakers bagged the No. 3 seed because of his ability to bond with his players and display tactical savvy. Although the early playoff exit happened, the Lakers remain hopeful about Redick's future with the franchise. Insiders close to the team confirmed the optimism to The Athletic.
Despite the setback, a lot of positives seemed to come out of the season. Oddsmakers had pegged L.A.'s overall win tally around 45 games, a mark the team managed to surpass by a substantial five games. The team also did relatively well, given the injuries incurred and the midseason trade that saw Luka Doncic, Markieff Morris, and Maxi Kleber arrive from Dallas in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
Shortly after the Doncic trade, the Lakers failed to secure a big man to fill the void left by the departed Davis after a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams was withdraw after Williams failed his medical examination. Subsequently, to compensate in the postseason, and in response to Jaxson Hayes' below-par play, the Lakers relied on a 40-year-old, 6-foot-9-inch LeBron James as their primary center in Game 5. Despite occasional success, this approach eventually proved detrimental as Gobert was able to gain an advantage on the offensive boards and with alley-oops.
With plenty of time for rest and rejuvenation, the Lakers and Redick are bound to look different when they hit the court in October.
Bonus Insights:- LeBron's Checkbook: Despite some frustration, James doesn't appear keen on offering another pay cut to help the Lakers secure top-tier free agents[2][5]. With a $52 million player option for 2025-26, James may negotiate a new deal but is unlikely to prioritize salary reductions[4][5].- Lakers' Roster Challenges: James' unwillingness to cut his salary now poses potential complications for the Lakers. Without a discount, the team's access to the full mid-level exception ($14 million) is limited, which could hamper their ability to attract high-impact players[3][5].
- Injuries and questionable decisions during the playoffs last season, coupled with the midseason trade that involved the Dallas Mavericks, made the Los Angeles Lakers' performance less than satisfactory.
- The odds were in the Lakers' favor going into the playoffs, but JJ Redick's tenure as coach faced rumors of instability after the team's early exit.
- Despite speculation that Redick's job could be at risk, sources close to the team have expressed optimism about his future with the franchise.
- The Athletic's Jovan Buha and Sam Amick reported that Redick's overall tenure as coach was largely positive, with the Lakers securing the No. 3 seed in the NBA due to his ability to bond with his players and display tactical savvy.
- The Lakers are hopeful for Redick's future with the team, and with LeBron James and the rest of the team looking to bounce back in the upcoming season, they are bound to make some changes.
- Upcoming free agency might prove challenging for the Lakers, as James' unwillingness to offer another pay cut may limit their access to the full mid-level exception, potentially hampering their ability to attract high-impact players.
