The Los Angeles Lakers hired JJ Redick as their head coach earlier this summer. They had previously released Darvin Ham after failing to build on the Lakers’ trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2023. Redick has been tasked with making the Purple and Gold competitive while also implementing a new player development system.
According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, some Lakers players already feel Redick’s impact as the team begins to ramp up ahead of training camp. Woike’s reporting is based on the different training regimes Redick has instilled for the players who are already back in Los Angeles and working with the team.
“Those workouts are the first in the formalized relationship between JJ Redick, his staff and the players, and the first impression might offer some hints as to how the new coach will operate,” Woike reported. “Workouts have featured more live basketball — one on one and three on three — than past summers when the focus was more on individual, noncompetitive work.”
Redick is gearing up for his rookie season as a head coach. He has no experience on the sidelines at any professional level, yet has found himself guiding one of the most prominent teams in the world. Put bluntly, he’s stepped directly into a pressure cooker and will be forced to sink or swim.
Nevertheless, the Lakers needed a fresh voice in the locker room. Redick will immediately have the respect of his players due to his history in the league. He will also bring modern ideas to the table and has amassed an experienced coaching staff to help him navigate the ups and downs of a season.
It’s not clear what the front office expects from Redick in the upcoming season. If he prioritizes internal development and a more expansive style of play, though, he could be a big hit with the Lakers in the coming years.
