Report names potential staffers if JJ Redick gets Lakers coaching job

JJ Redick is the reported front-runner to succeed Darvin Ham as Lakers head coach. Although Los Angeles is in the early stages of its coaching search, several insiders expect Redick to edge out other candidates such as Sam Cassell, James Borrego and Chris Quinn for the high-profile job. 

On the Sunday issue of his substack, Marc Stein reported that the Lakers are leaning towards naming Redick their new coach. The report further named three high-profile assistants earmarked as Redick's potential staff members should he get the Lakers job.  

"More smoke to support the idea that ESPN's JJ Redick is indeed the leading candidate to land the Lakers' head coaching job," Stein wrote. "Rumbles about possible staff targets for Redick have already begun to circulate. League sources say fellow Lakers search candidates Sam Cassell [Boston] and James Borrego [New Orleans] would be prime targets for Redick's staff. As well as an expected run at trying to bring Mavericks assistant coach Jared Dudley back to Lakerland."

The report also cited Dudley's "strong relationships" with LeBron James and Anthony Davis as a factor in the Redick-led staff wanting to bring him on board. Dudley played his final two seasons with the Lakers and won a championship with them in 2020.

The idea of Redick — who co-hosts a podcast with James — being named Lakers coach has incited polarizing reactions from former NBA players. While Udonis Haslem believes Redick and James' friendship could give birth to a "cynical locker room," Channing Frye has cautioned Redick against taking "a death sentence" of a job. Others such as Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford have expressed confidence in Redick succeeding in the role.