Don’t pencil in JJ Redick as the Lakers’ coach just yet.
After the Pistons’ shocking firing of Monty Williams on Wednesday with more than $65 million remaining on his historic contract, Redick “could be a name to watch” in the Detroit sweepstakes, according to Yahoo.
The report did hedge a bit on Redick’s candidacy, although it mentioned the connections Redick has with the Pistons’ president of basketball operations, Trajan Langdon, and vice chairman Arn Tellem.
“Redick is currently a prime candidate for the Lakers job, so it isn’t known how much traction Detroit could actually gain,” Yahoo’s Vincent Goodwill wrote. “Redick and Langdon have the Duke connection, and they were in New Orleans when Redick signed there as a free agent before the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. Tellem is also a fan of Redick, for what it’s worth.”
After the Pistons axed Williams just one year into his six-year deal, there are now three head coaching openings.
Redick has alternated between favorite and fallback option for the Lakers but seemingly is now back in the driver’s seat after UConn coach Dan Hurley rejected the team and a six-year, $70 million offer.
ESPN’s Jay Williams, a former Duke star like Redick, may have tipped the Lakers’ hand Tuesday when he called Redick the Lakers’ coach.
“You have the Los Angeles Lakers that are trying to figure it out with JJ Redick, a first-time head coach, we wish him all the best of luck with LeBron James in his twilight years,” Williams said.
While Redick also has that Duke connection with Langdon, the Pistons seemingly would have very long odds in a battle with the Lakers for a coach.
The Yahoo report also listed Pelicans assistant James Borrego as a name to watch in the search, but like Redick, he has been earmarked elsewhere.
Borrego reportedly is considered the favorite to land the Cavaliers’ job.
Whoever lands the job will have a challenge ahead of them since the Pistons are coming off an NBA-worst 14-68 season and yet will pick fifth in next week’s draft.
