The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty of issues to address as they try to do everything to win next season. While most teams usually take on multi-year plans to build their teams, the uncertainty surrounding LeBron James’ future means the Purple and Gold cannot afford to slowly build their team.
One of the areas that can greatly influence how a team plays is in the head coaching role. After Darvin Ham fell short of the expected standards, the Lakers didn’t hesitate to cut him and find a replacement who can maximize the talents of their aging-but-still solid core of James and Anthony Davis.
While the Lakers are searching far and wide for their next head coach, the rumors up and down the league is that JJ Redick is the likeliest candidate to take over the high-pressure mantle.
While it’s been known that the former NBA sharpshooter has wanted to take over a head coaching job for years now, many believe that taking such a high-risk job is the wrong move for his career.
One of LeBron James’ former teammates in Miami thinks it will be tough for a rookie head coach to unite a fractured locker room. Another of his teammates in Cleveland also thinks it’s a bad idea for Redick to take on the job, but for a completely different reason.
Channing Frye thinks JJ Redick taking on the Los Angeles Lakers job is a ‘death sentence’ for his career
As news broke out that Redick is the likeliest candidate to take over the head coaching role, multiple programs discussed the potential implications it will have for Redick and the Lakers.
Channing Frye, who was teammates with LeBron when the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off the miraculous 3-1 comeback in 2016, thinks that the Lakers is the worst place to start your NBA head coaching career:
“I think it’s a death sentence. I think he’s jumping on a grenade. … As a first-year coach, I wouldn’t recommend that job for anybody.”@ChanningFrye on JJ Redick being “considered favorite” to become the new head coach of the Lakers pic.twitter.com/cpnPsUMZC4
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 16, 2024
Like many NBA fans, Frye believes that Redick has what it takes to cut out a successful career as an NBA coach. He’s shown through various programs and podcasts that he has the knowledge to come up with a solid game plan for an NBA team.
However, the Lakers are in a tough situation. Even the most seasoned head coaches would have difficulty fixing the Lakers roster with the kind of pressure they’re facing. If Redick does decide to take on the Lakers hot seat, he’ll have a mountain of a challenge to conquer.
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