Trae Young just left Klutch.

Will this affect any relations to the Lakers?

— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) May 7, 2024

JJ Redick says there is a way for Lakers to upset Nuggets: "Where can we exploit the margins?" https://t.co/lOL97qgRot

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 7, 2024

Redick listed four key factors that could allow Lakers to beat the defending champions.

The Los Angeles Lakers enter their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets as big underdogs. But while the oddsmakers are picking the Nuggets to eliminate the Lakers, former NBA player JJ Redick thinks there are ways for the Purple and Gold to pull off an upset.

“The thing with the Lakers, if you’re trying to attack them, is ‘How can we get Anthony Davis from the basket?’ And whether it’s running high pick-and-rolls with whoever he’s guarding. We could see some Jamal Murray pick-and-rolls with Aaron Gordon, let’s say if they’re cross-matched that way. So keeping Anthony Davis in the paint is the number one priority,” said Redick.

Redick also mentioned that the Nuggets aren’t a high-volume three-point shooting team. At 11.7 three-point makes per game, they rank 25th in the league, one spot below the Lakers, who hit 11.8 three-pointers on average.

Denver is also 26th in pace at 97.43, while the Lakers are fourth overall at 101.38. According to JJ, that’s where the Lakers need to look for advantages.

“Number two. You got to look for margins here. Where can we exploit the margins? If I’m the Los Angeles Lakers, I need to get LeBron James out in transition. I need transition buckets. The shooters, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, Hachimura, of course, D’Angelo Russell, who’s had an incredible season. They have to shoot the ball well. Again Denver good three-point shooting team, not a high-volume three-point shooting team. Can they win the three-point battle there? Fastbreak. Can they win that there?” added JJ.

Finally, Redick says that the Lakers need to continue doing what they have been doing throughout the season: taking the ball to the basket and drawing fouls. L.A. often dominates its opponents in free throw attempts, and doing the same against the defending champions would increase their chances of advancing to the second round.

Lakers Fans Don't Want JJ Redick As New Coach Because He Didn't Select Anthony Davis For All-Defensive Team https://t.co/S9Bbn9NIVv

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 7, 2024

"The Lakers have very few good candidates… LeBron [James] doesn't get involved in coaching hires… LeBron's friendships tend to fall out as quickly as they start."

Brian Windhorst on the possibility of the Lakers hiring JJ Redick 👀

(via @dpshow)pic.twitter.com/zsiUijCSDO

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 7, 2024

Brian Windhorst discussed the Los Angeles Lakers potentially hiring JJ Redick, noting the limited pool of strong candidates. He added that LeBron James typically doesn’t influence coaching hires and observed that James’ friendships often fade quickly.

“The Lakers have very few good candidates… LeBron [James] doesn’t get involved in coaching hires… LeBron’s friendships tend to fall out as quickly as they start,” Windhorst said.

Does Minnesota want Nikola Jokic to be a scorer or passer? How should it defend Jamal Murray and limit Michael Porter Jr. in transition? 🤔#Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori runs through possible adjustments for Game 2 against the Nuggets. #WolvesBack pic.twitter.com/ioms6biSRa

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) May 6, 2024

Bucks Looking To Shakeup Roster With Potential Trade With the Los Angeles Lakers https://t.co/DQ4teKPW3m

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 7, 2024

Fran Leiva of fadeawayworld.net mentioned a trade idea for the Bucks and the Lakers this offseason. Milwaukee would be receiving from Los Angeles D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, a 2024 first-round pick (17th overall), and a 2029 first-round pick for Damian Lillard.

Some of the reasoning that Leiva gave for the Lakers and the Bucks making this trade is as follows:

“The Lakers’ decision to trade for Lillard is driven by the need to maximize the remaining years of LeBron James’ career, with hopes that Lillard can be a pivotal part of another championship run. Lillard, despite a down year, still managed solid numbers, averaging 24.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds over 73 games. On the other side, D’Angelo Russell had a strong season, particularly shining from beyond the arc. His season averages were 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds across 76 games, proving his value as a reliable scoring and playmaking option. However, his playoff performance was less impressive, underscoring a need for consistency in high-stakes games.”

This Would Be an Excellent Trade For What the Los Angeles Lakers Need But the Milwaukee Bucks Feel Committed to Building Around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard

Lakers News: Making the Case for Potential First-Time Head Coach to Lead LA https://t.co/8CWOomQVyz via @SInow

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 5, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers have made a significant move by parting ways with former head coach Darvin Ham. After two years of mixed results, the Lakers’ front office has decided to steer the team in a new direction.

Time will only tell whether it was the right or wrong decision. Nonetheless, Los Angeles will look for the 29th head coach in franchise history, and the candidates are already flying through. The Lakers have a list of veteran, experienced coaches as well as young, soon-to-be first-time head coaches. The purple and gold have their options, but none may not be more attractive than former NBA sharpshooter and current ESPN broadcaster JJ Redick.

Although Redick has zero coaching experience, there is no questioning his basketball IQ. Whether you’re hearing him on the broadcast or listening to him on his podcasts, “The Old Man and The Three,” or his other podcast with Lakers superstar LeBron James, “Mind The Game.”

It is very tricky and a significant risk to go with someone with zero coaching experience at the end of the day. Still, it could be worth something, especially with James’ insight on Reddick. Some could see it happen, like Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus. In his latest column, Pincus tries to make sense of the Lakers bringing aboard Reddick.

“His [Reddick] connection to James is undeniable. Assuming the team chooses to stay the course with the 39-year-old legend, at roughly $162 million for three more years, that connection matters.”

“It’s presumptive to say James wants Redick, but the two share a common view of the game and a natural trust. Unless the Los Angeles Clippers scapegoat Tyronn Lue for yet another Kawhi Leonard-less postseason, Redick seems the most logical choice.”

James could put in a word for the 39-year-old former player. The two have spent a ton of time already, and maybe this was already in the making with starting this podcast together. Who knows, but if you watch or listen to the podcast, James and Redick see the game in a similar way and share the same point of view. Whether that can work out in a player-coach setting is an entirely different ball game.

Even before the 2023-2024 season, Redick was a hot commodity to join a coaching staff as an assistant. Redick turned down multiple tenures, most notably the Boston Celtics. The 39-year-old told sportswriter Pablo Torres he’d rather coach his nine-year-old’s son’s team than Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum.

“I could be helping [Jayson] Tatum win a championship. Instead, I’m trying to figure out how a nine-year-old can beat a 2-3 zone,”

The coaching bug is apparent, as he told Dan Patrick last May that he misses basketball and could seize a coaching opportunity if he sees fit.

“You certainly miss the competitive side of professional basketball when you retire, and that’s probably the biggest itch,” Redick told the last May. “… I’m in a fortunate situation that I can kind of wait and see if there’s anything that materializes that’s sort of a perfect fit.”

The Lakers will do their due diligence. It will be a long road ahead, and they must get it right. Whether that’s Redick or an experienced coach, we’ll have to wait and see.

My top preferences for the Lakers to pursue for their new head coach are Micah Nori and David Adelman.

I'd also want to interview Budenholzer, Lue, Atkinson, & Lee. That's my full list of 6.

Among reported LA interest they're 6/6 here + 2 I'm not interested in (Redick & Kidd).

— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) May 5, 2024

Lakers Rumors: Anthony Davis’ Opinion To Be Taken ‘Under Consideration’ In Head Coach Search https://t.co/FBufx1hZIn via @lakersnation

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 5, 2024

After a rollercoaster of a 2023-24 season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ year ended with a first round exit against the Denver Nuggets.

Los Angeles knew that changes needed to be made and they went for the low-hanging fruit as they dismissed head coach Darvin Ham. For weeks leading up to the playoffs, Ham’s job security was becoming a hotly-discussed topic because of his in-game shortcomings and questionable press conferences and the Lakers decided to cut bait after just two years.

Now, the organization is expected to cast a wide net in their head coaching search with names like Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, Tyronn Lue and JJ Redick being mentioned as possible candidates. LeBron James might have a player option for the 2024-25 season he can opt out of, but is expected to have a say in who the team hires.

However, it won’t be just James whom L.A. listens to as they’ll also illicit input from Anthony Davis as well, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:

“And of course LeBron James’ opinion will be taken into consideration, but not just LeBron James. Anthony Davis as well I’m told,” McMenamin said. “And the team kind of looks as Anthony Davis finally taking the torch from LeBron in the last season-and-a-half. While LeBron can still have the time to process the end of this season as he decides his future with the team, they have another voice and another leader in Anthony Davis whose opinion they will take under consideration.”

The 2023-24 season was a clear indication that Davis had taken more ownership of the team and embraced his role as a leader alongside James. Los Angeles values Davis as a player and partner after they gave him a three-year extension, and they should definitely have him as a stakeholder in key decisions like who to hire as a head coach.

Rumors suggest Lakers might finally get smart and ignore a common LeBron problem https://t.co/pFpf9GOo9j

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 5, 2024

Jovan Buha discussed the team’s summer planning on the May 2 episode of The Athletic’s NBA Show. See his quote below.

“The Lakers have pushed back in recent weeks and months on the notion of going down the three-star build path, so we’ll see how that all shakes out. I think LeBron James will have a say in that.”

Rob Pelinka and the front office went for depth at the 2023 trade deadline and it helped them turn their season around. The Lakers surprisingly reached the conference finals with a deep group playing well together. They only had two stars when they won the championship in the bubble, but LeBron and AD were supported by a strong cast of role players. That model has proven successful, but King James likely has other ideas.

LeBron James prefers having 2 co-stars

LeBron pushed for the Lakers to add a third star when they acquired Westbrook. He had success using that formula in Miami and Cleveland, but it has not worked in LA.

Acquiring a third star will gut an already shallow team. The Lakers had nowhere to turn in their first-round playoff series against Denver. If they have to trade Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves to get a third star, their head coach will be stuck playing his starting five every minute in the playoffs.

Los Angeles cannot rely on minimum signings to play massive minutes. It has not worked. They need players like Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Alex Caruso filling roles like they did on their 2020 title team.

There will likely be a power struggle this offseason. Does LeBron James win out and convince the Lakers to acquire a third star? The franchise must keep him happy, but should not do it over building a contending roster. Adding two or three quality pieces won’t be easy, but is LA’s easiest path to title contention.

LeBron James often gets what he wants. He certainly desires more talent around him and Anthony Davis. Do the Los Angeles Lakers add a third star like Trae Young? It would be a mistake, but fans may finally get to see who is calling the shots in LA.

Lakers next coach odds, prediction: Early favorite emerges for top job in Los Angeles https://t.co/SEXJCgvzBD via @nypost

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 5, 2024

Mike Budenholzer +320
Kenny Atkinson +420
Tyronn Lue +460
Terry Stotts +500
J.J. Redick +550
David Adelman +750
Becky Hammon +800
Phil Handy +2400
Rajon Rondo +3400
Frank Vogel +6000