NBA
When will the Los Angeles Lakers appoint a new head coach?
Following Dan Hurley’s rejection, the Lakers coaching position remains vacant, with the 2024 NBA Draft around the corner.
The Los Angeles Lakers are still on the look-out for a new head coach after Dan Hurley rejected a six-year deal worth $70 million to stay with the UConn Huskies. As a result, it now seems certain club chiefs, headed by general manager Rob Pelinka, will go back to JJ Redick as they look to begin building for next season.
Lakers to appoint new coach before 2024 NBA Draft
In any case, the Californians expect to have a new coach in place before the 2024 NBA Draft starts on Wednesday June 26. Following that event, free agency begins and Lakers bosses understandably want to know who will be leading the team before then.
Following Hurley’s rejection, Redick has reemerged as the clear front-runner and looks very likely to be appointed, with the ESPN analyst recently revealing he would make a decision on his future once he had finished working on the 2024 NBA Finals with his employer.
Report: Lakers to interview JJ Redick for head coach position at weekend
Speaking to Mike Golic and Mike Golic Jr of the “GoJo and Golic” podcast last week, Redick had the following to say:
“I would say this. My focus right now is on calling the NBA Finals. I am so fortunate that I’m in this position and I get to call these finals. My day-to-day right now is consumed with calling games, the 19 different podcasts I feel like I have, my obligations to all of our partners. So my focus is on the NBA Finals, I will say that.
With the Boston Celtics just one game away from clinching the championship against the Dallas Mavericks, the finals could over as early as Friday night, which means official news could be relatively imminent. Furthermore, an ESPN report on Thursday claimed the Lakers would interview Redick for the position at the weekend, seemingly confirming he leads the race.
Additionally, many believe Redick’s potential appointment could well lead to “Mind The Game” podcast co-host LeBron James staying with the Los Angeles franchise for two more seasons.
New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego is also said to be “a leading candidate” for the Lakers, although he has held discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers as they search for a replacement for J. B. Bickerstaff.