JJ Redick, once a sharpshooter for various NBA teams, recently finished his first season as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. After a promising rookie year, the Lakers are already locking him in with a contract extension for the near future. Their decision shows the franchise’s belief in him and highlights the urgency to restore the glory of championships in LA. So what is his new contract?

JJ Redick’s First Season as Lakers Head Coach

JJ Redick was hired as the Lakers’ head coach on June 24th, 2024, following their firing of previous head coach Darvin Ham and all of his assistants. Redick’s coaching had raised eyebrows because he had only coached his son’s fourth-grade basketball team. Though a former NBA player, he was known more as a media personality, for his appearances on ESPN and for his podcast The Old Man and The Three, along with Mind the Game, alongside Lakers superstar LeBron James prior to his hiring. As such, there were many doubts about whether he could be a good leader for an LA squad looking to contend.

In his debut season, Redick led the Lakers to a hot start, starting 3-0 for the first time since the 2010-11 season, along with a six-game winning streak in November. However, Redick faced a personal setback in the season as well, when the Southern California wildfires burned down JJ’s home, leading to consolations from all around the league.

On February 2nd, 2025, the Lakers received Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis in a surprise blockbuster trade, changing the outlook of their season and future. In an interesting coincidence, the Lakers won a game against the Pacers on March 26th with a tip-in buzzer beater, only to be stunned by the Bulls’ Josh Giddey drilling a half-court shot at the buzzer the very next day. They ended the season with a 50-32 record, locking in the #3 seed in the Western Conference, and won the Pacific Division for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.

Their run ended with an abrupt loss to Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round in five games. Though LA took a postseason tumble due to a size disadvantage, Redick earned praise from fans for winning their highest regular-season win total since 2019-20.

What stood out in year one was Redick preaching “championship habits,” inspired by conversations with legendary coaches like Sean McVay and Bill Belichick. Redick’s system prioritized ball movement, discipline, and accountability, easing the playmaking responsibilities on LeBron James by giving Austin Reaves and, later, Luka Doncic. His system earned praise in the front office and led to their giving him a contract extension this offseason.

Details of JJ Redick’s Contract Extension

The Lakers announced on September 25th, 2025, that JJ Redick had been extended, and GM Rob Pelinka made it clear that they had doubled down on their commitment to the new coach. Redick was initially signed to a four-year, $32M deal during his hiring in June 2024, but the details of the new deal, including amount and length, have not yet been announced.

Early extensions like the one offered to Redick signaled the organization’s desire for stability and eliminated any questions of job security. While details remain under wraps, the gesture itself is more important than the paperwork, because it places Redick at the center of the future of the Lakers’ coaching.

Why the Lakers Extended Redick’s Deal

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka emphasized during a press conference that Redick has become the team’s “basketball leader.” “Confidence and belief,” Pelinka said on the reason for the extension, via silverscreenandroll. “We think he’s a special coach with a special voice that’s really helping us continue to define the culture of Lakers’ excellence. We just wanted to make a clear statement that this is what we believe in, what we’re going to lean into and what our players are going to mold into as we continue to develop the identity. I think having long-term planning is helpful as we build this team and go forward.”

Moreover, the front office has particularly highlighted his ability to connect with players and build trust with stars like LeBron and Luka, as well as set the foundation for the culture that aligns with the Lakers’ championship-level standards.

Behind the scenes, Redick’s unique interpersonal style has also been a key factor in his extension. He reportedly spent time with LeBron in the offseason on two different occasions to align their visions, and he spoke about how unleashing the best version of Doncic is up to him: “I expect the best version of Luka, and it’s my job as a coach to bring that out on a daily basis.” His extension gives them stability, and Redick can focus on the team without concerns about job security.

What the Extension Means for the Lakers’ Future

For the Lakers, Redick’s extension marks a commitment to stability as the roster undergoes a retool. New additions like Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart are expected to play alongside existing stars LeBron and Doncic, which means the continuity at the coaching position gives a foundation for the roster moves to translate into wins.

At the same time, this means that the stakes are raised. A first-round exit is not an acceptable benchmark for a franchise as storied as the Lakers. Deeper playoff runs and a push for the title are the current expectations from Redick, who now carries the burden to prove to Lakers brass that he can deliver on the trust that has been placed in him.

If he delivers, he could be the next great Los Angeles head coach, joining the likes of Phil Jackson and Pat Riley. Redick has already stated, “I’d love to be the Lakers coach for the next 15 to 20 years. If I’m not the Lakers coach, I’m in it for the long haul in L.A.” The Lakers have now shown they’re willing to bet on this possibility.

JJ Redick’s contract is about both security and vision. In just a single year, he has convinced the Lakers that he can be the long-term architect they’ve long been looking for. Whether that future includes more championships depends on how quickly his system can translate to winning at the highest level.