JJ Redick is the reported frontrunner to take over the head coaching role at the Lakers, but former NBA champion Udonis Haslem has warned against it.
Redick and LeBron James has always been close, whether that be in their battles on the court or in the media never as close as they are now, even after Redick’s retirement.
Together, the two created the wildly successful podcast Mind the Game.
Haslem outlined the reasons why, should Redick be hired as head coach, that would cause problems in the Lakers’ locker room.
Haslem stated on NBA Today, “You’re going to have a cynical locker room if it’s JJ [Redick].” “There will be guys asking, ‘Will coach and LeBron do a podcast after the game?'” There will be a cynical locker room where he will look down on everything JJ says. “Is it JJ’s message or is it LeBron’s message?” they will question.
Redick, along with Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego and Boston assistant coach Sam Cassell have “emerged as the franchise’s initial leading targets, league sources told The Athletic.”
But Haslem had a suggestion of his own, which could be seen as slightly bias, considering it is Heat assistant Chris Quinn, who already has some experience working with LeBron.
“Chris Quinn has relationships coaching LeBron James in Miami, and I’m not just saying this because he’s my guy,” Haslem stated. “I am aware that LeBron has respect for him.” Is he a real, legit candidate now? Who knows? Even after you’ve made your choice, you might still post names.
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Interestingly, The Athletic was informed by a person knowledgeable on the matter that “this should be more of a hire about AD than LeBron.”
As for LeBron’s future, the most recent sources indicate that he intends to play for the next two years. Beyond that, though, it’s uncertain.
