Lakers, LeGM hire JJ Redick as next head coach: Best memes and tweets

The Los Angeles Lakers gave up Darvin Ham after two seasons with the team, despite leading them to the Western Conference Finals in 2023. With Ham losing the locker room, the Lakers decided to fire him and look for a new head coach.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley emerged as a shocking candidate to become the Lakers’ new sideline boss. However, Hurley opted to stay at UConn and pass on an opportunity to coach in the NBA. That put the Lakers back in first place. However, there was one name linked to the Lakers’ head coaching job through the end of their season, a name without any head coaching experience. Now they get an opportunity with the prestigious Lakers organization.

According to ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have agreed to a four-year deal with JJ Redick to become the team’s next head coach.

This move was actually expected to happen, but it may still come as a shock to many considering Redick has no coaching experience. With that, some fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts and memes about the appointment.

Redick’s hiring comes a day after Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill reported that he was being considered as a candidate for the Detroit Pistons head coaching position, which recently became vacant following the firing of Monty Williams. Even with this update, Redick and the Lakers had a mutual interest, and the two reached an agreement on a deal.

Redick, a star at Duke University, played 15 seasons in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. From there, Redick moved into media, hosting a podcast and eventually landing alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke on ESPN’s No. 1 NBA broadcast team. Not to mention, Redick recently launched a podcast with LeBron James called “Mind the Game,” where they discuss the Xs and Os of basketball.

The biggest concern for Lakers fans will be Redick’s lack of experience as a head coach. Wojnarowski reports that Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka was sold on Redick’s “ability to connect with players” and his “basketball IQ.” Pelinka believes Redick can shorten the learning curve by “surrounding him with an elite coaching staff.”

The Lakers are taking a chance on Redick, but believe he has the knowledge to succeed in the role. But given the expectation of success, Redick will be under scrutiny his first year, especially if James stays on. Let’s not forget that for the Lakers, it’s the NBA championship or go bankrupt.

But for the Lakers fans still wary, let’s not forget that Steve Kerr and Larry Bird succeeded as head coaches despite previous experiences. Maybe Redick will be the next great first-time head coach.