The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a four-year deal with JJ Redick to make him the franchise’s next coach, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Redick, an ESPN NBA analyst with 15 years in the league, met with Lakers vice president and general manager Rob Belinka and owner Gene Buss over the weekend, and sources said conversations about the vacancy continued throughout the week.
Belinka offered Reddick the job Thursday morning, sources said.
Belinka is sold on Redick’s ability to connect with players and his basketball IQ, and hopes surrounding Redick with an elite coaching staff will help ease his learning curve in his first head coaching job, sources said.
Redick took the lead in the search a week ago after the Lakers’ pursuit of Connecticut coach Dan Hurley was ultimately rejected.
The Lakers offered Hurley a six-year, $70 million contract, which he turned down earlier last week, sources said.
As Belinka sought out Hurley, he wants a teaching coach and staff that prioritizes the development of young players like Max Christie, Austin Reeves and Rui Hachimura. said.
Redick has a strong relationship with Lakers star LeBron James, with whom he co-hosts a basketball podcast.
