NBA Insider: Project JJ Redick Is Controlled By Anthony Davis As Lakers Locker Room Turmoil Sees New Light

It’s been over two weeks since the Los Angeles Lakers decided to cut ties with head coach Darvin Ham. With each passing day, the speculation to find out who will be the successor continues to grow. Among various candidates, former Orlando Magic player JJ Redick has emerged as a likely choice. He has risen to be the potential top pick due to several factors, including his close association with Lakers lead scorer LeBron James. However, according to an NBA insider, it is not LeBron but Anthony Davis who may be responsible for deciding Redick’s potential hiring.

A few hours ago, NBA journalist Trevor Lane released another episode on the official channel of ‘Lakers Nation’. Here, he highlighted that while LeBron James leads the current Lakers roster, the same may not remain for long. After all, LeBron is 39 years old and recently concluded his 21st season with the NBA. If he retires or chooses to exit the franchise, the existing roster will have to be built around Anthony Davis, the second-highest average scorer of the team. Therefore, Davis can play a huge role in deciding who he would want as the individual to coach him and his teammates over the next few seasons.

“We know we focus a lot on LeBron,” said Lane. “Does LeBron want JJ Redick? Does LeBron want Sam Cassell? Well, maybe we should be talking more about ‘Who does Anthony Davis want’? Because it’s clear that we are shifting the focus at an organizational level towards AD being the guy”.

Despite LeBron James’s ongoing contributions, he had earlier stated that he would like to play with his son, Bronny, on the same NBA team. This would mean the player would reportedly be willing to follow his son even if drafted by another team. Whether the same may be true or not, Trevor Lane believes that the Lakers must make a long-term decision involving a future without the all-time leading scorer.

Anthony Davis would be the ideal candidate to replace LeBron as team leader. He has been associated with the Lakers for over five years, he’s 31 years of age and has often led the scoring effort in LeBron’s absence.

“For the time being, that’s the plan”, Lane continued. “Two more years with LeBron. We’re transitioning into this being Anthony Davis’s team. He’s their best player. And so, finding pieces that fit AD, including the coach, is going to be more and more of a concern”.

Chris Broussard believes that LeBron James and Anthony Davis will never respect JJ Redick as Head Coach

Even before the Lakers fired him, there was speculation that Darvin Ham would not last long with the franchise. The reason? Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis had allegedly made it clear that they did not respect the head coach. Therefore, an unofficial requirement for the next team trainer may be to build or already have a relationship with the two lead scorers. While JJ Redick has a professional relationship with LeBron. NBA analyst believes the situation will change if he becomes head coach.

A few days ago, Chris Broussard highlighted how JJ Redick has had zero coaching experience with the NBA. Furthermore, he never secured a championship ring during his 15 years as a player . Therefore, Broussard believes the former player would be better off launching this career path through a “young” team. He meant Charlotte Hornets, where his position would not be undermined.

“He’s a contemporary of LeBron and AD”, said the 55-year-old analyst. “I don’t think they about to give you that respect. He’s LeBron’s podcast partner, you think that’s going to be some authority figure?”  Broussard used the example of Phil Jackson and Steve Kerr to explain how, even with their extensive record as renowned players, they took the coaching positions to train the next generation of players. They did not choose to “coach a bunch of dudes who used to take them to the whole dunk on them and talk trash.”

Do you think JJ Redick is a viable choice to replace Darvin Ham? Let us know in the comments down below.