Two and a half weeks after Darvin Ham was dismissed by the Lakers, they remain actively searching for his successor with no clear frontrunner having emerged just yet. Former Milwaukee Bucks head coach and NBA champion Mike Budenholzer was the early favorite according to Vegas betting odds. However, that ship has now sailed with Budenholzer taking the Phoenix Suns job on May 11th. The remaining pool of names that L.A. has been linked to look to be a blend of unproven, unavailable, and somewhat mediocre. The 17-time NBA champions are in desperate need of coaching stability, something they have not had since the days of Phil Jackson. It remains a huge question mark whether or not any of the potential candidates can fulfill this great void.
As of May 21st, JJ Redick is the odds on favorite to be the Lakers' next head coach at -140 according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Redick played 15 seasons in the NBA with the likes of the Magic, Bucks, Clippers, 76ers, Pelicans, and Mavericks. While there are likely only a select few with a greater familiarity and knowledge of the league, the fact still remains that Redick has never coached at any level of the sport. It’s safe to say that taking charge of one of the most storied franchises in sports will be about as big a leap as one can make from Redick’s current position. However, it’s quite clear that Redick is held in a very high regard around the league. A recent article from Bleacher Report states that the Lakers reportedly view Redick as a “Pat Riley-Like” head coaching prospect, having recently completed an official interview with him.
Two other names appear to be firmly in the mix: Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego and Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell. Borrego currently has the second best odds to be hired according to DraftKings at +425, followed by Cassell in third at +500. Borrego has a long history coaching in the NBA and is a 2-time champion as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs. Borrego spent four full seasons as the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022.
He was also previously the interim coach for the Orlando Magic during the 2014-15 season, giving him an overall head coaching record of 148-183 (.447). In spite of Borrego’s long history in the league, he is anything but proven when it comes to being the head guy. Cassell, like Redick, had a lengthy playing career with numerous different teams. In a career that spanned from 1993 to 2009, Cassell played for the Rockets, Suns, Mavericks, Nets, Bucks, Timberwolves, Clippers, and Celtics, winning three rings along the way. He immediately went into coaching after his retirement and has since been an assistant for the Wizards, Clippers, 76ers, and Celtics (where he is currently employed). Again, Cassell would be a highly unproven hire seeing how he has never been a head coach.
Initial reports after the firing of Darvin Ham had named Tyronn Lue as the Lakers’ first choice to be his replacement. Nevertheless, there are multiple glaring roadblocks which currently prevent the Lakers from hiring Lue. First and foremost is the fact that he is under contract with the Clippers until the end of the 2025-26 season.
There has also been no indication that the Clippers would want to part ways with Lue, with reports suggesting that the opposite is in fact true. However, talks between Lue and the Clippers regarding a contract extension have apparently failed to make any progress, perhaps giving the Lakers some hope. Either way, no indication has been made public on where Lue himself wants to coach next season.
So, what should the Lakers do? There is by no means a clear answer and we’ll likely not have one until the official hire is actually made. Of the three favored candidates, I would ultimately go with JJ Redick if I was in Rob Pelinka’s shoes. Although entirely unproven, Redick has more potential upside than Borrego or Cassell, both of whom have remained in assistant positions for the majority of their coaching careers.
If L.A. truly believes that Redick has the chance to be their next Pat Riley, then they have no other choice than to give him a shot. Keep in mind that even if Redick doesn’t work out, they can make another push for Lue in a year or two once his contract with the Clippers expires.
