JJ Redick’s Lakers Contract: Unveiling The Rookie Coach’s 4-Year Deal That Matches Legends Like Doc Rivers and Nick Nurse

What would be the worth of the head coach of a major NBA franchise who has held zero experience in this particular field? This hypothetical question was morphing into reality the more that JJ Redick’s candidacy was gaining traction. After Darvin Ham was fired by the Lakers, the former player found his place amongst names like Kenny Atkinson, Chris Quinn, James Borrego, etc. for consideration. After reports that UConn head coach Dan Hurley turned down a very generous offer, the franchise finally landed on Redick. With that, the anticipation rose: Will the new Lakers HC be worth those who have devoted decades to the job? Or would his lack of experience reflect on his pay?

Fortunately, NBA enthusiasts did not have to wait for long to get the breakdown of the contract. Therefore, without any further ado, let us explore the same.

What are the terms listed under JJ Redick’s contract?

According to the details revealed just a day after he was reported to be the next head coach, JJ Redick is set to earn $32 million over the course of four years. With an average pay of $8 million per year, the contract places the 40-year-old amongst the highest-paid coaches for the 2024-25 season. In fact, Redick is contending for a top 10 spot with four other head coaches through his pay, as Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Kidd, Atlanta Hawks’ Quin Snyder, and Denver Nuggets’ Michael Malone would earn the same amount for the upcoming season.

The fact that the Lakers agreed to pay Redick the same amount that someone like Tom Thibodeau, who has had 39 years of combined coaching and assistant coaching experience in the NBA, currently earns shows just how far the franchise went to lock him down. Believe it or not, the Lakers were willing to go even further if it meant that they could secure their first choice.

Back in June, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Lakers had made Dan Hurley a whooping 6-year, $70 million offer. The renowned college basketball coach had come off fresh from leading the UConn Huskies to back-to-back NCAA Division I Tournament titles, with speculation reportedly arising that he could help the team secure their first three-peat.

Whether this belief played a role or not, Hurley ended up rejecting not only the chance to lead one of the most popular NBA franchises but also the $28 million raise that he would have received for coaching during the same six-year period. As a result, many analysts, like former Warriors player Gilbert Arenas, questioned whether the offer was legit.

Despite not earning as much as Dan Hurley would have, JJ Redick is still set to do better than his predecessors. After all, Darvin Ham had joined the franchise under a four-year deal that would pay him $5 million per season. While details of Frank Vogel’s Lakers contract were not revealed to the public, his pay would have been higher than what he made through the four-year, $22 million deal he had with the Orlando Magic.

It is important to note that both head coaches were fired before their time was due. However, as reported by The Athletic, Darvin Ham will earn the remaining amount in his contract even after getting fired. Therefore, even in a situation where JJ Redick would be asked to leave within two years, the entirety of the $32 million may already be guaranteed to him.

While Redick’s pay is certainly high, and even on Thibodeau’s level, it does not overshadow some of the contracts held by other experienced coaches. Doc Rivers, who is set to experience his 17 year as head coach, and first full season with the Milwaukee Bucks, signed a $40 million deal that will conclude after the 2026-27 season. As a result, he will earn $10 million during the upcoming regular season. If Rivers was a player, he would be the 164 highest-paid.

Nick Nurse’s four-year, $32 million contract with the Toronto Raptors was only valid till the 2023-24 season. While the Philadelphia 76ers took the coach in last year, the franchise has not chosen to reveal whether he is earning more or less this time around.

Similarly to many other franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers had their fair share of trouble with the luxury tax and the apron limits. However, a head coach’s salary is not counted against the salary cap. Therefore, the franchise had no trouble in coming up with a final offer that would ensure that JJ Redick’s ‘ego’ wouldn’t get hurt. After all, with rumors of the six-year, $70 million contract reportedly presented to Dan Hurley running rampant, the franchise may have wanted to ensure that their second choice wouldn’t be too hurt for, well, being the second-choice. Fortunately, they had nothing to worry about anyway.

What were the new head coach’s thoughts on the Dan Hurley pursuit?

During JJ Redick’s introductory, it didn’t take long for Rob Pelinka to be asked about the Dan Hurley pursuit. While the general manager admitted that the franchise did make an attempt towards Hurley, Redick continued to remain in the “Plan A” of candidates for the HC post. Probably looking to not put the Lakers management on the spot, Redick didn’t even wait for him to be asked about Hurley before chiming in.

“When the process was going on and we first met in Chicago, I was getting ready to call Game 1 of the NBA Finals when the Dan Hurley news broke and Rob was quick to call me. We had a great conversation,” said Redick. “During that four-day period, at no point was my ego or my feelings hurt or bruised in any way. Dan Hurley is a two-time national champion at UConn, I am a two-time 55 Swish League champion in the third and fourth-grade division. I understood.”

Having secured the HC spot and the high pay that comes with it, it is up to JJ Redick now to maintain it. Whether he will have more success than his predecessors will be answered only as the Lakers progress through the upcoming regular season.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.