Does JJ Redick have what it takes to lead the Lakers to a championship?

Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the last several weeks, we wrote columns every weekday breaking down the biggest questions about every player on the Lakers. Today, we wrap up with JJ Redick.

It’s been a while since the Lakers employed a coach who has stayed with them for more than three seasons. A coach the organization genuinely believes in and doesn’t constantly put on the hot seat. JJ Redick has been everything the Lakers hoped for since they hired him in June 2024, as he has become the franchise’s best coach since Phil Jackson departed in 2011.

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Redick has led the Lakers to 50 wins each season. The 29th head coach in franchise history is a big reason why Los Angeles hasn’t been in play-in territory over the last two years — a sight they saw a little too often before Redick’s arrival.

What has made Redick’s tenure with the Lakers so productive is the way his strengths have consistently shone through. He may have his flaws — we’ll get to what he has to improve later — but it’s no coincidence the Lakers have had a high-powered offense since the proud Duke University alumnus took over.

Redick’s attention to detail has also stood out based on the structure the team abides by and the way they run their sets. He’s a great communicator who can connect with his players, which is why he often has the group’s buy-in. He’s competitive and has shown he can respond to adversity. These are the foundational qualities of a championship coach.

That said, the incoming third-year coach still has a lot to prove. This year, he no longer has his former podcast co-host and captain LeBron James on his side. He’s also won just one playoff series since becoming the Lakers coach and the team’s defense has been below average over the last two years.

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While Redick may not be in the hot seat, there’s always pressure on him to be better and deliver at a high level.

What is his best-case scenario?

The best-case scenario for Redick is to lead the Lakers to a championship. This expectation may be extremely high, but it’s also what happens when you have arguably the toughest coaching job in the…

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Publish date : 2026-09-25 16:25:00

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