Los Angeles Lakers Next Head Coach: Potential Candidates

After firing Darvin Ham, the Los Angeles Lakers need a new head coach. View the candidates for the next Lakers head coach below.

JJ Redick Leading The Pack For Next Lakers Head Coach

The Los Angeles Lakers are zeroing in on JJ Redick as the frontrunner for franchise’s next head coach, league and industry sources say.

Developing story at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/PqVJt8OBjs

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2024

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, JJ Redick is considered the front-runner to become the next Lakers head coach. The decision is not final, and the Lakers still have other steps to complete before hiring a coach.

However, Redick has the inside track to becoming Los Angeles' next head coach. Charania's report states that Lakers' officials are “infatuated” with Redick's potential as a coach.

After a superstar career at Duke University, Redick played 15 seasons in the NBA from 2006 to 2021. Redick's career averages are 12.8 points on 44.7 percent shooting, including 41.5% from three and 89.2% from the line.

Since retiring from the NBA after the 2021 season, Redick has become a media sensation. Redick cofounded ThreeFourTwo Productions with Tommy Alter, where he hosts the popular podcast, The Old Man and the Three. Redick is a lead analyst on ESPN's top NBA broadcast team, alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke.

Early this year, Redick teamed with LeBron James to start the basketball podcast, Mind the Game. James currently plays for the Lakers, meaning Redick could become his coach within a matter of weeks.

Redick was the first Lakers candidate to meet face-to-face with the front office. An announcement would likely come after the 2024 NBA Finals if Redick is hired.

Other Lakers Heading Coaching Candidates Include James Borrego

The Lakers are hoping to convince James Borrego to join JJ Redick’s staff as a lead assistant, per @jovanbuha (https://t.co/4iQ2tL7VKa).

Borrego, Sam Cassell, Scott Brooks, Rajon Rondo and Jared Dudley are all assistant candidates in play to potentially join Redick in LA. pic.twitter.com/2SR0q3KLM9

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 5, 2024

After Redick, the next likeliest candidate to become the Lakers head coach is New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego.

Borrego has met with the Lakers' brass twice, and according to Charania, the franchise has been “impressed with him during the process.”

Borrego has been an assistant in the NBA since 2003, making stops in San Antonio (2003–2010, 2015–2018), New Orleans (2010–2012), Orlando (2012–2015), and Charlotte (2018–2022).

Beyond Redick and Borrego, the Lakers have interviewed Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell, Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn, Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman, and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.