The Los Angeles Lakers are slowly honing in on a new head coach.
L.A. is considering JJ Redick, James Borrego, and Sam Cassell among its initial group of top targets to succeed Darvin Ham, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania and Jovan Buha.
The franchise is reportedly seeking a younger name that can lead the franchise for several seasons, including during a potential post-LeBron James era that will likely center around star big man Anthony Davis.
Despite boasting no senior coaching experience, Redick has garnered notable interest recently from clubs hoping to fill in their vacancies. The ESPN analyst and former NBA sharpshooter also reportedly interviewed with the Charlotte Hornets this offseason, and he was a candidate for the Toronto Raptors' opening last year before the Canadian franchise opted for Darko Rajakovic.
Redick has plenty of familiarity with the Lakers' two co-stars. Along with facing both James and Davis several times over his playing career, the 39-year-old currently co-hosts a basketball strategy-focused podcast with James, titled "Mind the Game."
His candidacy could also be receiving another unlikely boost in his former Duke mentor, Mike Krzyzewski. The retired Hall of Fame coach has been considered a resource for the Lakers amid their ongoing search, sources told Charania and Buha.
Borrego, the top assistant on Willie Green's New Orleans Pelicans staff this past season, was the head coach of the Hornets for three seasons from 2019-2022. The first Latino bench boss in NBA history, Borrego was a combined 99-120 in Charlotte but went 43-39 in his final season. That 2021-22 campaign remains the Hornets' only winning season in the last eight years.
Cassell has long been a frequent name for top coaching gigs but has yet to be hired to lead a team outright. Now an assistant on Joe Mazzulla's Boston Celtics staff, the former All-Star guard first emerged as a frequent head coaching candidate during his six seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2014-20. The 54-year-old Cassell first took up a role behind the bench with the 2009-2010 Washington Wizards. He spent three seasons prior to this year with the Philadelphia 76ers and then-head coach Doc Rivers.
Another reported candidate for the Lakers includes Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson. Los Angeles was also reportedly interested in Lue, Mike Budenholzer, and Charles Lee; Budenholzer and Lee have since signed head coaching contracts with the Phoenix Suns and Hornets, and Lue is considered an "unrealistic" option due to his desire to stay with the Clippers, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier this month.
The Lakers fired Ham from his post after a combined 90-74 regular-season record but back-to-back playoff exits at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.
