‘My focus is the NBA Finals,’ says ESPN analyst JJ Redick refuses to address Los Angeles Lakers coach’s calls

ESPN star JJ Redick has been heavily tipped to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

But Redick says he won’t address the rumors until after the upcoming NBA Finals.

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Redick is part of the ABC commentary team for the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.

The former NBA shooter was asked directly in an interview with GoJo and Golic whether he would be the next Lakers coach.

Followed a report in The Athletic by NBA insider Shams Charania that the Lakers were banking on Redick as their head coach.

But Redick responded, “My focus is on the NBA Finals.”

And he added: “In terms of [the report], this will be resolved when the season ends. I’ll just say this.”

According to The Athletic, no final decision has been made yet regarding Redick’s appointment.

But all indications are that the former Orlando Magic and LA Clippers star will be signed after the NBA Finals.

The clash between Mavericks and Celtics starts on Thursday and can only end on June 23rd if it lasts seven games.

To complicate matters further, the 2024 NBA Draft takes place just three days later.

Redick has formed a bond with Lakers superstar LeBron James in recent months after appearing on a podcast together.

But LeBron reportedly dropped out of the Lakers’ hiring process.

“I’m very lucky to be in this position and to be able to call these finals with Doris. [Burke] and Mike [Breen]” Redick added.

“My day to day life is now consumed by calling games, by the 19 different podcasts I feel like I have, by my obligations to all of our partners.”

Redick never coached basketball beyond the youth level.

But there are already reports about who Redick might bring in as assistants for the role.

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Celtics assistant Sam Cassell and former Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego also interviewed for the Lakers coaching job.

And NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Lakers could end up hiring all three, with Cassell becoming head coach and Cassell and Borrego joining his staff.

Stein added that Jared Dudley, who won the 2020 NBA championship with Los Angeles, would also be considered for one of the assistant positions.

Redick and the Lakers have not yet reached an agreement on contract terms, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Lakers are looking to replace Darvin Ham, who was fired in the offseason.

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