JJ Redick Talks Lakers Rumors, Says HC Buzz 'Will Be Addressed' After NBA Finals | News, Scores, Hig

September 2024 ยท 2 minute read
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: JJ Redick looks on during the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images)Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images

ESPN analyst JJ Redick declined to offer any insight when asked about new rumors linking him with the Los Angeles Lakers' coaching vacancy.

"My focus right now is on calling the NBA Finals," he said Wednesday on GoJo and Golic.

Redick added the speculation about his future "will be addressed once the season is over."

GoJo and Golic @GoJoandGolic

"My focus is on the NBA Finals. In terms of Shams, that will be addressed once the season is over. I'll just say that." <a href="https://twitter.com/jj_redick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jj_redick</a> addresses the elephant in the room โ€” the rumors of the Lakers' interest in him as their new Head Coach <a href="https://t.co/6OwYnG5iHQ">pic.twitter.com/6OwYnG5iHQ</a>

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Tuesday that the 39-year-old has emerged as the front-runner for the Lakers and is "their leading choice at this stage."

ESPN's Brian Windhorst slightly pumped the brakes on the idea that Redick's hiring is a fait accompli. He said on Get Up that things are trending that way but it isn't a "done deal."

Get Up @GetUpESPN

"Do I think it's going to be JJ [Redick]? Probably. Is it going to happen at the end of the finals? Probably. Is it a done deal? Not to my understanding."<a href="https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WindhorstESPN</a> weighs in on the Lakers' coaching search ๐Ÿ‘€ <a href="https://t.co/EPTosY1z61">pic.twitter.com/EPTosY1z61</a>

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports first noted Los Angeles' coaching search could drag into June thanks in part due to Redick working the NBA Finals for ESPN. The best-of-seven series between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks gets underway Thursday and could extend to June 23 if it goes the distance.

Of course, Redick's current job didn't preclude him from interviewing with the Lakers, and there's nothing stopping from them from choosing him without officially announcing it until after the Finals.

The former guard finds himself in a tough position because he has to analyze the Finals from the broadcast table while simultaneously being a central figure in one of the biggest stories surrounding the league.

Redick won't want to take the spotlight away from the NBA Finals too much, hence refraining from saying anything of consequence about Charania's report. There's also the difficulty of juggling his media duties with laying the groundwork for his potential arrival in L.A. Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein reported in May that some prospective candidates to join Redick's staff had already emerged.

For now, the Lakers and Redick are stuck in a holding pattern.

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