Redick’s coaching potential will be put to the test in L.A.

Back in 2022, JJ Redick was a guest on Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks podcast, explaining why he feels he’s more than capable of coaching in the NBA. According to the newly hired Los Angeles Lakers head coach, he possesses a vast array of skills that he feels every great coach he’s played for has.

“One of my greatest skills as a human being is my ability to communicate and communicate in an open and transparent way. I did that as a teammate. I think that’s part of coaching: not avoiding things and not avoiding confrontation. Locker rooms, team chemistry, it’s a very fragile thing. We see it all the time in the NBA,” he said.

JJ Redick once talked about why he'd make a great NBA coach - Basketball Network - Your daily dose of basketball

Giving back as a coach

Redick also said that one of the biggest reasons he wants to pursue coaching is to help others develop on the court. Throughout his 17-year career in the NBA and college, the retired guard mentioned that he’s been helped—on and off the court—countless times, and he wants to return that favor by doing what he feels he can do best.

“I don’t necessarily think it’s one thing, but I feel like I know the game pretty well because of some coaches I played for, really, specifically, Coach K [ex-Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski],” Redick said. “He taught me about adaptability. And our game, the NBA, changes so fast year to year. Having the mindset of being open to change,” Redick said.

Redick will become the 27th head coach in the Lakers’ history—the organization fired two coaches in the last five years. And even though this is his first job on the sidelines, one that includes guiding a LeBron James-led team, JJ is ready for the challenge.

Only time will tell

The Lakers hiring Redick raises more questions than answers right now. It’s undoubtedly a high-risk, high-reward type of move that’s impossible to predict due to JJ’s lack of experience.

JJ Redick has long known he could be a good NBA coach

That said, one guy who’s certain Redick will thrive in his new job is his former Duke University head coach, Mike Krzyzewski.

“Make no mistake about it, he can coach,” the 77-year-old Krzyzewski said in an interview with FOX Sports. “He wants to win so badly, but he backs it up. JJ prepared as well as anybody that I ever coached.”

Only time will tell whether Redick backs up what he and Coach K believe regarding his potential. But if one of the greatest coaches ever praised JJ, perhaps the Lakers made the right move.