JJ Redick will be Austin Reaves third coach at the Lakers since 2021.
“He’s a basketball genius!” Austin Reaves breaks silence on JJ Redick getting Lakers head coach job

Austin Reaves is eager to work with ‘genius’ JJ Redick

After going through ups and downs while searching for a head coach, the Los Angeles Lakers have finally signed JJ Redick to a four-year deal. The news took the NBA world by storm as many analysts and players started to give their opinions on the news. However, none of the men in purple and gold have spoken about the topic for a long time until now.

The team’s rising star, Austin Reaves finally revealed his thoughts on the new coach. While speaking with THV11 reporter Cierra Clark, Reaves had high praise for JJ Redick. As Reaves has been a guest on Redick’s podcast, the 26-year-old is aware of the star’s basketball intelligence. Hence, Reaves showed eagerness to work with Redick.

He's a basketball genius, I think as everybody knows. I think he's gonna make a good coach and I can't wait to get to work with him.

Austin Reaves on THV11

The star further also revealed that Redick personally texted him to arrange a call between the two. Reaves is looking forward to ‘putting brains together’ and to working with Redick at the Lakers. The guard wants to have a ‘good year’ with Redick as the star will take over in the upcoming season.

Reaves is expected to bloom even more under Redick’s coaching, as his agent showed excitement to Redick’s joining. Just a few days ago, Reaves’ agent Aaron Reilly claimed that the fans will see a ‘different part’ of the guard’s game with Redick as a coach. The expectations from the duo have certainly raised after the statement.

JJ Redick praised ‘tough’ Austin Reaves for his game

Reilly’s claim was based on Redick’s thoughts on Reaves. The coach has admiration for the guard which will help for his development in the future. Long before Redick joined the Lakers’ head coaching conversation, the 39-year-old had shown appreciation towards the team’s young star.

Last year during an episode of Redick’s podcast, the Old Man and the Three, the host had high praise for Reaves. Redick described Reaves as a competitor who fights every game with his big shots and buzzer beaters. The former player praised Reaves’ mental and physical toughness.