Lakers extending HC JJ Redick's contract is an unnecessary risk

The particulars on Redick's extension weren't immediately made available, but regardless of the finances, it's a surprising development for a coach with only one season of experience under his belt. It's certainly a bet that the best is yet to come.

In Redick's first season, the Lakers went 50-32 but crashed out in five games in the first round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the team's playoff exit, Redick was criticized for his rotations in the series loss, notably playing the same five-man rotation for the entire second half of a Game 4 loss, the first coach to do so since at least 1998, per ESPN. The strategy failed, with the Timberwolves coming back to win, 116-113, after outscoring the Lakers 32-19 in the fourth.

Despite the shortcomings, with a full upcoming season from a motivated Luka Doncic, acquired midway through last season, the franchise appears headed in the right direction. When discussing the Redick extension, Pelinka told reporters the franchise did so "just to make it clear that he's the basketball leader in terms of our coaching and on-court performance."

Redick might very well ascend to the top tier of NBA coaches, but his extension leaves the Lakers without room for error. With three years left on his initial contract, Pelinka didn't need to extend his coach as a symbolic gesture. Redick's 2024 deal should have been enough security.

It might be a minor risk, but it's an unnecessary one. The Lakers and Redick are adjoined for the foreseeable future, for better or worse.