LeBron James Is Imposing “Death Sentence” on JJ Redick With Potentially High-Risk Offer, as Per 40YO NBA Veteran

Should JJ Redick avoid debuting his coaching career with the LA Lakers? It is worth mentioning that the speculations of Redick as the next head coach of the Lakers are quite high. In fact, media reports state that the 39-year-old is an early favorite for the position in the lot including James Borrego, Sam Cassell, David Adelman, and Micah Nori. However, former NBA star Channing Frye believes Redick should stay out of this if he can.

In an interview with reporter Lauren Jbara, Frye faced the question of how he thinks Redick would fit into LeBron James‘ LA Lakers. “To be honest, I think it’s a death sentence. I think he’s jumping on a grenade… I know for a fact JJ Redick is a coach. But taking that job, I just don’t know. That’s a lot,” he said. Frye believes coaching in the NBA with no prior experience is already a big enough task. And on top of that, coaching players like Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, and LeBron James is an added challenge.

The 40-year-old further stated that the Lakers is not a franchise like Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, or OKC who believe in “let’s learn your way”. Frye highlighted how the Lakers were crushing Darvin Ham for not having the right substitution pattern. “So for me, I wouldn’t take that job,” he said. However, Frye believes either Borrego or Cassell would be a good fit. Borrego has formerly coached Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 22 with a win percentage of 45.8 while Caseell has been an assistant coach for four teams over 15 years. 

The 40-year-old believes the Lakers need a coach who can command the locker room. Someone who can walk up to LeBron and contradict the King’s decision, if required, as per his vision in favor of the team. And Frye is not the only person who believes that JJ Redick will face a challenge doing all of this with a star-studded roster.

LeBron’s former teammate also believes JJ Redick should not coach Lakers

Appearing on ESPN’s NBA Today, the King’s former teammate from Miami Heat, Udonis Haslem also has his reservations on the idea of Redick coaching the Lakers. He believes the 39-year-old may not get a favorable environment in the locker room with this move. And he may even face problems in establishing authority with the team.   

“If it’s JJ, you’re going to have a cynical locker room… You’re gonna have guys saying, ‘Is coach gonna do a podcast after the game with LeBron?’ He’s gonna have a cynical locker room that side-eyes everything JJ says. They’re gonna wonder ‘Is it JJ’s message or is it LeBron’s message?'” Haslem said. It is worth mentioning that JJ Redick runs the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast with LeBron. However, some also believe Redick makes a good fit for Lakers looking to poach a long-term contract, added on by his excellent basketball IQ and relationship with King James.

Now, it is to be seen what decision the Lakers as well as Redick make moving ahead.