JJ Redick seen as the next Pat Riley?

Lakers Rumors Roundup: JJ Redick seen as the next Pat Riley? https://t.co/clXNbRe8rE

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 19, 2024

The rumors are continuing to trend in one direction with the Lakers coaching search as JJ Redick is seen as the favorite and is drawing comparisons to a legendary coach.

JJ Redick as the next Pat Riley

The path of media member to head coach is a very unusual one…but not an unprecedented one. Lakers fans are obviously familiar with that route to coaching as Pat Riley became one of the greatest coaches in league history.

But that is the exception. No one else has made that leap in NBA history. Redick would be one of the most high-profile players to try it, and, unsurprisingly, the Lakers are saying he could be the next Riles, at least according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports on the “Ball Don’t Lie” podcast.

The Lakers are taking an interesting approach to their head coaching search – which may go beyond the Finals 👀 pic.twitter.com/Z6LZRyTA9I

— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) May 16, 2024

I mean, nothing is more Lakers than believing they can just conjure up another Pat Riley. Or convincing themselves that this very circuitous route that once led to a viable coach is one they can just repeat some 40 years later.

There are reasons to believe Redick could be a head coach. None of them should be because they think he’s the next Pat Riley.