The Los Angeles Lakers have not contacted their top player as they search for their next head coach.
LeBron James is “not involved” and “has not had any conversations” about the Lakers’ search for their next head coach, The Athletic reported Monday.
JJ Redick has reportedly emerged as one of the Lakers’ frontrunners, and the two host a podcast together, leading some to speculate that James might be involved. But according to The Athletic, James hasn’t had “a conversation” with the team about Reddick.
James and Redick started a podcast titled “Mind the Game” in March. The podcast primarily covers the nuances of basketball. A description of the show explains that they will “break down the state of the game, the X’s and O’s, and wax poetic about the games they love.”
Redick, who played 15 seasons in the NBA, rose through the broadcasting ranks in recent years, calling games for ESPN and ABC. However, he has never previously held a coaching position at the professional or collegiate level.
There is precedent for former players taking on coaching positions without experience. Mark Jackson and Steve Kerr were each employed in the Golden State Warriors’ broadcast booth. The New York Knicks hired Derek Fisher as head coach shortly after his playing career ended in 2014.
Other rumored candidates for the Lakers’ coaching job include Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassel, Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn, New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, Denver Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant There is Mika Nori.
Coach K assists LeBron and the Lakers in their coaching search.
As the Lakers navigate their manager search, James’ future in Los Angeles also remains uncertain. He has a player option for next season, which he could opt out of becoming a free agent later this summer. The Lakers “desperately” want James to return to the organization this offseason, The Athletic reported after the team’s season-ending loss to the Nuggets. According to The Athletic, Los Angeles is willing to lure James by offering him a contract of up to three years and drafting his son, Bronny James, in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Lakers fired Darvin Ham after a first-round exit against the Nuggets. Ham was 90-74 in his two seasons as head coach.
Get more information from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites for information on games, news, and more.