The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to interview JJ Redick for their head coaching job after losing their top candidate.
The Lakers were unable to convince Dan Hurley to lead their team and are now looking for a second option.
The Lakers made a six-year, $70 million offer to try to pry Hurley away from UConn, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
On First Take, Shannon Sharpe said the Lakers simply demoted him.
“It wasn’t the timing, it was the money,” Sharpe said.
“If you have a job, for another job to make you leave, you’re going to have to make me an offer I can’t refuse.
“This was a very unrefusable offer.”
According to NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, Redick will have an official interview with the Lakers this weekend.
Rival reporter Shams Charania initially reported that Redick was the favorite for the job before the Hurley chase, and now it appears that report is correct.
Although Redick is scheduled for an official interview this weekend, ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst believes the analyst has already interviewed for the position.
Redick hosts a podcast with LeBron James, and Windhorst believes this was an early interview for him.
On the podcast, they did extensive analysis of the Lakers, something the team could be keeping an eye on.
“Whenever you hire a head coach for the first time, you admit you are going to go through a learning curve. Frankly, there have been interviews with LeBron James on those podcasts,” Windhorst said.
“They analyzed the Lakers offense extensively, they extensively detailed what they do.
“It’s available for everyone to hear, including the Lakers front office.”
Redick has no coaching experience, but has proven his basketball intellect as an analyst.
He’s also earned the respect of LeBron James, who obviously has a huge influence on the team.
NBA Finals Schedule
Thursday, June 6 – Game 1 – Dallas Mavericks 89-107 Boston Celtics
Sunday, June 9th – Game 2 – Dallas Mavericks 98-105 Boston Celtics
Wednesday, June 12 – Game 3 – Boston Celtics 106-99 Dallas Mavericks
Friday, June 14 – Game 4, 8:30 p.m. ET – Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks
Mon, June 17 – Game 5, 8:30 pm ET – Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
Thursday, June 20 – Game 6, 8:30 p.m. ET – Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks
Sun, June 23 – Game 7, 8pm ET – Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
(Boston beats Dallas 3-0)
Fans are not convinced of Redick as Lakers coach and have shared their doubts on social media.
“Your first time training at a professional level, what could go wrong!” one fan said.
“What are the Lakers doing???” another fan said.
“I went from Dan Hurley to podcast boy omggg,” said a third fan.
“What a strange journey this team has been on over the last month,” said a fourth fan.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story