“Should NOT Be a LeBron James Hire”: Ex-NBA Champ Alerts Jeanie Buss & Rob Pelinka as JJ Redick Leads LA Coaching Job Rumors

As we head closer to the date by which LeBron James needs to make a decision about his player option for next season, the Lakers have picked up pace in their hiring process for the new head coach. Rumors suggest that LeBron’s podcast partner JJ Redick is likely to be one of the frontrunners for taking over that vacant spot. However, Kendrick Perkins believes hiring JJ might not be the Lakers’ best decision. Instead, he suggested the franchise make a teammate of Bron the centerpiece.

Going by NBA Insider Shams Charania’s reports, three candidates are on top of the Lakers’ list for the coaching job, JJ Redick, Sam Cassell, and James Borrego. And discussing who they should pick during The Stephen A. Smith Show, Perkins claimed, “Rob Pelinka, Jeanie Buss, this should NOT be a LeBron James hire!” If Redick becomes the Lakers’ new head coach despite him having no NBA coaching experience, Big Perk believes that whenever Redick says something as part of the job, everyone will be left wondering if those are his words or LeBron’s. And that can create unnecessary tension in the locker room.

Avoiding all the chaos, Perkins boldly suggested to the Lakers’ front office, “This should be an Anthony Davis hire.” It is AD who is currently in his prime. Just last year, he signed a massive $186 million extension to stay in LA for 3 more years. In the meantime, LeBron can also choose to leave LA in the dust. He could decline his player option and join another team this summer.

Hence, keeping all those reasons in mind, it might be a safer and smarter bet for the Lakers to find a head coach suiting the needs of AD rather than LeBron James.

Who should the Lakers choose if not JJ Redick?

Even though JJ Redick is their ESPN pal, Big Perk and Stephen A. Smith felt there might be a more suitable candidate for the Lakers vacancy. He goes by the name Sam Cassell. “I have been an advocate for Sam Cassell, being a head coach in the NBA for years.” Smith went on to list down his incredible accomplishments as a player with three Championships, multiple huge playoff appearances, and his 15-year assistant coaching experience in the league. That’s the reason Stephen A. believes Cassell has “earned his stripes” to rise to the next level.

Perkins also shared the same sentiment and reminded the world that Cassell is an assistant coach in Boston. To no one’s surprise, they’ve been the best team in the league all year! Of course, his basketball knowledge and coaching experience had a huge part to play in Boston’s success this year.

Moreover, the Bucks legend also has the experience of handling superstars and Hall of Fame-level players. That could prove pivotal and be a deal-breaker with a team like the Lakers who are always star-studded.

As he’s worked several years under Doc Rivers, first with the Clippers and then in Philly, Cassell knows what it takes to win at the highest level both as a player and a coach. That’s exactly what the Lakers need right now.

Who do you think should be the Lakers’ new head coach?