Lakers reportedly believe JJ Redick has potential to replicate coaching legend

The Los Angeles Lakers' search for a new head coach is picking up steam, and one name has reportedly grabbed the attention of the franchise’s front office — JJ Redick.

Redick has made waves league-wide as an analyst and with multiple podcasts/TV appearances, including stints on ESPN’s "First Take." But according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha and Shams Charania, the Lakers see something special in Redick’s future, reportedly viewing him as a “Pat Riley-like coaching prospect.”

Leaguewide, Redick — a former player and media analyst — has garnered buzz for the position. The Lakers are infatuated with Redick’s potential, according to league sources, viewing him as a Pat Riley-like coaching prospect who could both help the franchise in the short term and lead it for years.

That’s a bold comparison, but with Redick’s quick emergence as one of the most respected analysts covering the NBA just four years removed from his playing days, his potential upside as a coach is hard to ignore.

Redick is a brilliant basketball mind and already has a rapport with LeBron James through their playing days and the duo’s Mind The Game podcast.

Whether Redick emerges as the front-runner for the Lakers’ head coaching vacancy will be a popular topic to monitor over the coming weeks. But one thing that appears certain is that if Redick truly wants to make the push into coaching, he should be able to find a strong opportunity in the near future, even if it’s not in Los Angeles.