JJ Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell emerge as top early targets for Lakers coaching job: sources

CHICAGO — As the Los Angeles Lakers begin contacting head coaching candidates and scheduling interviews this week, JJ Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell have emerged as the franchise’s top initial targets, league sources said . Athleticism.

The franchise’s next coach will be tasked with guiding both the end of the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era — potentially a two-year window — and then the next Davis-led era of Lakers basketball. Los Angeles is looking for a coach who can grow with the franchise for years to come, according to team and league sources, with a strong focus on maximizing Davis’ greatness, players returning current players and developing high-level players.

As a source briefed on the situation said: “This should be more of a hire about AD than LeBron. »

The Lakers are expected to have an initial round of coaching interviews with candidates the franchise has not yet considered, allowing team officials to get to know these individuals on a human level before moving on to the next sentence, they said. league sources said.

The Lakers are looking for a coach who will command the locker room and hold players accountable, as well as relentlessly plan the game and provide a level of structure and organization, according to these sources.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the matter say that one person who has become a respected unofficial resource for the Lakers during the process is legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose extensive knowledge of candidates, such as Redick and others, provides perspective on the team culture. the wishes of the organization and the characteristics of the potential staff around the next head coach. Krzyzewski’s history with the Lakers dates back to 2004, when Dr. Jerry Buss made a strong but unsuccessful offer to hire Coach K.

As Athleticism After the firing of head coach Darvin Ham, the Lakers’ top initial candidates were LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue (whose contract expires next season), Redick, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson , Mike Budenholzer (who recently replaced Frank Vogel as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns) and former Boston Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee (recently became head coach of the Charlotte Hornets).

Since then, Redick, the 39-year-old ESPN analyst and 15-year NBA veteran; Borrego, the 46-year-old associate coach of the New Orleans Pelicans who previously coached the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets; and Cassell, the 54-year-old Boston Celtics assistant coach who was an assistant for 15 years after a 15-year NBA career, emerged as the Lakers’ top initial targets.

Denver Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori and Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn are expected to be among the other candidates, according to league and team sources.

Redick has yet to coach above the youth level, making him the biggest unknown among the coaching candidates. He is the most forward-thinking candidate given his high-profile playing career, led as a media personality and his recent “Mind the Game” podcast with James.

Despite his lack of coaching experience at the NBA level, he is considered one of the hottest prospects on the market and has made it clear publicly and privately that he is eager to make the jump to the NBA position. head coach. Redick recently interviewed for the Hornets head coaching job and interviewed for the Toronto Raptors’ opener last offseason.

Borrego, New Orleans’ associate head coach under Willie Green, has been one of the driving forces behind the Pelicans’ offensive improvement, going from 20th in points scored per 100 possessions in 2022-23 to 11th this season. last. Borrego led the Hornets to 43 wins in his final season in 2021-22 (still their most as an organization since the 2015-16 season). He was 148-183 (.447) during his four-plus seasons as head coach in Charlotte and his 30-game stint as the Magic’s interim coach.

Cassell, who joined the Celtics staff last offseason, has coached under Flip Saunders, Randy Wittman, Doc Rivers and Joe Mazzulla. He was a top assistant to Rivers in nine of his 15 coaching seasons. Cassell is well respected by players and has a strong reputation for player development. He won three championships as a player (1994 and 1995 in Houston; 2008 in Boston).

As Athleticism reported after the Lakers’ Game 5 loss to the Nuggets, James is expected to play up to two more NBA seasons, a source briefed on his thinking said. This means that this coach will likely be the last coach of James’ career in the event he re-signs with the Lakers.

Los Angeles is open to discussing any framework deal for James’ return, as well as the possibility of drafting Bronny James in next month’s NBA draft, according to team sources. Bronny James intends to stay in the draft, participating in all pre-draft activities, starting with the Combine this week in Chicago and the agency’s Pro Days next week in Los Angeles, before narrowing down the list there are about a handful of interested teams.

(Top photo: Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images)