Coach JJ Redick Faces ‘Kill Him’ Threat From Ex-Teammate to Fulfil Own Ambitions Amid Lakers Job Insecurity

JJ Redick has been in the spotlight for many days. This is because of his connection with James and the ongoing speculations about Redick becoming the next Lakers’ coach. While the final decision has not been taken yet, it is expected that Redick might take up the role of head coach for the men in gold and purple.

In the recent episode of the podcast Nightcap, Gilbert Arenas painted a fascinating picture of Redick’s work ethic. Elaborating on the former player, he recalled his time with JJ Redick. Both of them played together for some time, with Gil noting Redick as someone who used to outwork him, mentioning, “He’d just put on a treadmill and get to going,”

Things got interesting later. Gil seems to be aware of the news regarding Redick’s links to the Lakers and the position of head coach. He playfully warned JJ Redick that “It would be a great opportunity to coach for the Lakers. I just don’t want to kill him, and I don’t want to see a good dude get fired.” This comment by Gil has raised questions; was he warning Redick about a potential setback? Or was he suggesting a tough ride with the Lakers?

JJ Redick’s dilemma: Burning ambition vs. job security

The position of head coach of the Lakers has always been intriguing. The board fired Darvin Ham after the Lakers failed to mount a championship challenge in the past 2 seasons. In both seasons, the Lakers were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers had a record of 90-74 in the regular season. The Lakers could potentially include Redick’s name in the mix if they decide to make a change. After all, JJ Redick has a brilliant reputation as a basketball-mind and is even well-established in the sport.

But the problem coaches face in coaching the Lakers is immense. The team is widely known to be a very demanding franchise. There is pressure to win and deliver outstanding performances consistently. Moreover, there is a lot of media scrutiny too. The media follows you because of the presence of stars such as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell. And this is exactly the kind of environment Gilbert seems worried about for JJ Redick.

However, Gil also recognized the allure of coaching a team such as the Lakers. When Unc asked him, “How do you say no to the Knicks, how do you say no to the Celtics, to the Lakers? You don’t say no to those franchises,” Gil replied, “I don’t say no to head, so I know damn well I’m not saying no.” His statement indicates that Arenas might also be available to coach the Lakers.

So, with these dynamics around his coaching prospects, what’s next for JJ Redick? Will he prioritize job security or chase his dream while risking burnout as the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers? What do you think? Share your views in the comments.