The Los Angeles Lakers are considering hiring J.J. Redick as head coach, but LeBron James is reportedly not driving that candidacy.
“I’m told LeBron James is not involved in the Lakers’ head coaching search,” said Shams Charania. “I reported on it last week: J.J. Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell are the lead initial targets.
“LeBron James James has made it clear that this is the organization’s decision. He’s had no conversions with the Lakers about JJ Redick, his podcast partner. He has had no conversations with J.J. about this position as well.
“I did speak to Rich Paul this morning. He said ‘LeBron James and J.J. Redick do a podcast together. That does not mean that he wants J.J. Redick as his head coach.’
“But he is leaving it up to the organization. We’ll see what LeBron James decides for his future. I’m told he’s expected to play up to two more NBA season.
“The bottom line with LeBron James is this: if he was making the decisions for the Lakers, Ty Lue would have been the head coach in 2019. Kyrie Irving would be his point guard if he was running the team.”
Charania went on to express the thinking that this coaching hire has as much to do with Anthony Davis as it does with James.
James could become a free agent this offseason, but he is widely expected to remain with the Lakers.