Lakers Introduce JJ Redick

The Lakers introduced JJ Redick as the 29^th coach in franchise history on Monday afternoon at the UCLA Health Training Center, as Redick and VP of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka addressed assembled media members. 

“This process has been surreal to say the least,” said Redick. “One of the things that kept coming up was the word ‘gratitude.’ I think that’s where I’ll start, just feeling so grateful for Rob, Jeanie (Buss), the entire Lakers organization for entrusting me in this position. I take this responsibility very seriously.”

“JJ is a fierce competitor and has an extraordinary basketball IQ and understanding of the modern game that will energize players and excite fans,” said Pelinka. “His rigorous analysis will immediately unlock new opportunities for our roster while setting a foundation for player development over the long term.

The 39-year-old Redick followed up an outstanding college career at Duke University with an impressive 15-year NBA career from 2006-21. He made the playoffs in 14 of his 15 seasons, and specialized as a defense-drawing shooter who converted 41.5% of his 3-pointers, hitting the 20^th-most triples in league history (1,950).

After his playing career, Redick co-founded a production company where he exceled as a podcast host and basketball analyst, and also rocketed up ESPN internal chart to join the network’s No. 1 game broadcast team, having just completed his first NBA Finals as an analyst. However, as somebody who was always driven most by a super competitive personality, he had been looking to make a transition back to a team … and being a head coach is about as close as one can get to the game.

A major area of focus for Redick and Pelinka will be developing the young players within the organization currently, and into the future.

“It became evident that one of JJ’s passions was bringing some of the incredible things he’s done in basketball thinking and basketball content to player development as we build that out,” said Pelinka. “I think it’s going to be exciting for our fans to see how we take a new and unique approach of Lakers excellence with player development, and combining that with high-level strategy and high-level attention to detail on the basketball court, with how we play, with how we’re organized, how we compete and ultimately how we win. A very, very proud moment for us to introduce JJ Redick as our new head coach.”

“I have never coached in the NBA before … I don’t know if you guys have heard that,” Redick quipped. “My motivations for doing this starts with the very simple foundation of service. I think about the greatest moments, especially towards the end of my career, was about helping players. It starts with the desire to serve players, to serve the Lakers organization, to serve our fans. It’s also about competition and performance, leadership … these are the things that drive me. They will all be important as I build out my staff, as we think about the people we want to draft and get in free agency.”

Redick spoke about how important it is in the game today to recognize how fast it’s evolving, and how in coaching, you “have to be adaptable to your roster, you have to be adaptable in game planning against your opponent,” and how that’s what he strives to be.” 

He’s also well aware of expectations for the Lakers, and shares them.

“Sitting in this seat, I know what the expectations are … Lakers fans (are) some of the most passionate around the world, and the expectation is a championship. It’s my job, it’s our staff’s job, it’s Rob’s job, it’s all of us, to deliver a championship-caliber team. That’s what I signed up for.”