Head coach Darvin Ham bore the brunt of the Los Angeles Lakers’ consistent playoff failures by losing his job. As a consequence, GM Rob Pelinka, along with owner Jeanie Buss, are on a quest to find a replacement. Out of several candidates in contention for the top job, JJ Redick has also featured a prospect. However, his lack of coaching experience has been a detouring factor when it came to placing him as the front-runner for the job.

So, the Lakers are seeking advice from legendary American Coach Mike Krzyzewski, and his comments turn the tide in JJ’s favor. In a clip on an X post by Pat McAfee, senior NBA analyst Brain Windhorst says, “That’s the first I’ve heard about Coach K consulting with the Lakers in their head coaching search. JJ Redick is absolutely a legitimate candidate for that job.”

Adding credence to these claims is the fact that Redick was a player under Coach K at Duke University from 2002–2006. Despite not winning the NCAA championship, the former sharpshooter became the National College Player of the Year in 2006 under coach K. Another reason Duke Alum might be a shoo-in for the job is because Pelinka and Krzyzewski already have a longstanding quid-pro-quo.

In the same clip, Windhorst added, “Rob Pelinka, the general manager for the Lakers, when he was an agent he successfully recruited a number of Duke players.  So, this to LeBron’s relationship with coach K…You know, there’s a lot of players that, Mike Krzyzewski said ‘I recommend you sign with Rob Pelinka,’ that relationship’s been around for a long time.” Still, is this vote of confidence enough to hire JJ?

Can JJ Redick finally get the job?

Currently, Redick’s relationship with LeBron James is a huge factor in his inclusion as head coach, in addition to Coach K’s approval. However, according to recent reports they “hire about AD than LeBron.”  The front office is already planning to move the franchise away from James’ shadow, and Redick’s appointment may not be aligned with that.

Still, his ability as a great basketball tactician can never be ignored if a fundamental change has to happen to win. Although JJ’s lack of experience does make it a lot easier for his competitors like James Borrego and Sam Cassell, his player communication skills might be better.

Do you think the former sharpshooter can get his first big job next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.