The Lakers have found their new head coach and there was one player who was “very involved” in the process, but it wasn’t who you’d think.
JJ Redick was hired as the Laker’s newest coach on Thursday, but he doesn’t have podcast co-host LeBron James to thank for his new gig.
During an introductory press conference on Monday, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka revealed that Anthony Davis played a big part in the hire while James was “very supportive” of the process.
"LeBron was very supportive of us in our process, but chose not to be heavily involved, and we respected that." – Rob Pelinka on how the "Mind the Game" podcast factored into JJ Redick's hiring. pic.twitter.com/Xgi62vVFV4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 24, 2024
“In terms of the involvement with our captains with this coaching search and the coaching process…[James] was very supportive of our organization in this process,” Pelinka said. “And that’s a different word and I want to be mindful of that word than involved. I would say it again, LeBron was very supportive of us and our process, but chose not to be heavily involved and we respected that.”
“Anthony Davis, our other captain, chose to be very involved and was very involved,” Pelinka added. “I talked to him throughout the process and got a lot of help and wisdom. And he was very excited for today.”
James and Redick had a relationship from hosting the “Mind the Game” podcast, but it had been previously reported that the Lakers superstar wasn’t going to be tipping the scales in anyone’s favor.
Redick has no professional coaching experience and has worked as an analyst on ESPN and was calling NBA Finals games with the network’s No. 1 broadcast team, Mike Breen and Doris Burke.
Redick played 15 seasons in the NBA and had been a star at Duke during his days in college.
The former player was offered the position after UConn coach Dan Hurley turned down a reported six-year, $70 million contract from Los Angeles to remain at the helm of the school’s basketball program where he won back-to-back national championships.