Lakers’ Udonis Haslem issues LeBron James-level warning to LA amid JJ redick interest

“I’m gonna go ahead and say it,” Haslem said. “If it’s JJ, it’s gonna be a cynical locker room. You’re gonna see guys that are gonna say ‘is coach gonna do a podcast after the game with LeBron?’ You’re gonna have a cynical locker room with guys that are gonna side-eye everything that JJ says, ’cause they’re gonna wonder is it ‘JJ’s message or LeBron’s message?'”

Haslem was referring to Redick’s and James’ new Mind the Game podcast, where the two have been discussing their basketball knowledge at length. While Redick may be an expert on basketball concepts and mechanics, sitting in the coach’s chair is an entirely different ballgame. If Los Angeles hired him, it would look like the team hired him because he’s James’ friend.

On top of that, Haslem threw an unheralded name out there as someone the Lakers should take a hard look at.

Haslem thinks that Chris Quinn would be a better option than JJ Redick for the Lakers

Chris Quinn is a name that even the most diehard NBA fans may not know of, but that could change soon. The Heat assistant coach is reportedly a potential target for Los Angeles, via CBS Sports.

“I’m not just saying this because Chris Quinn is my guy, but Chris Quinn has relationships and coached LeBron James in Miami prior to LeBron going to the Lakers, so I know he’s a guy that LeBron respects,” Haslem said. Now, is he a true, true candidate? Who knows, because we understand how this goes, you might put names out there when you already know who you’re gonna pick, but I think Chris Quinn really has an opportunity to go into that situation, some Miami Heat culture, but also sprinkled in with what they’re doing now and what LeBron likes to do.”

Balance is key in all aspects of life, including coach-player dynamics. James has earned the right to have some influence over how the operation runs, but unlike Redick, Quinn would have the trust of the entire locker room based on his track record.

“You have to have a healthy medium,” Haslem continued. “It can’t be all Chris Quinn’s way, but it can’t be all LeBron’s way. You gotta meet in the middle, and I think Chris Quinn to go in there and have the respect of LeBron James, and have the respect of the locker room, and it’s not gonna be cynical. It’s gonna be a flat, clean slate, start from scratch.”

Only time will tell if Los Angeles chases headlines instead of making a more logical, non-flashy choice.