Lakers Intensify Coaching Hunt: Will it be Redick or Borrego to Guide the Purple and Gold?

Lakers Intensify Coaching Hunt: Will it be Redick or Borrego to Guide the Purple and Gold?

2 minute read
Published: 6/5/2024

In the world of celebrity and glamour, nothing screams "Hollywood drama" quite like the Los Angeles Lakers' coaching hunt. The team has put a spotlight on two main candidates to fill the head coach position: ESPN analyst JJ Redick and New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego.

Redick, who has managed to transition impressively from draining three-pointers to delivering hot takes on ESPN, is currently the front-runner. But there's a catch. His ongoing obligations with the sports network have caused some delays in his potential appointment. So it seems the only thing preventing him from swapping out his blazer for a Lakers polo is a quirk in his TV contract.

The Lakers are also playing it safe by having Borrego waiting in the wings, just in case Redick decides that the bright lights of studio sets are too hard to leave behind. Borrego, who has already participated in multiple meetings with Lakers' management, is considered a viable back-up plan. And if Redick snags the top job, the Lakers might still try to hire Borrego for a top assistant position. Talk about hedging your bets.

But the competition doesn't stop there. Borrego isn’t just in the Lakers' crosshairs; he’s also a contender for the head coaching position with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Picking between Los Angeles and Cleveland—it's no wonder he’s juggling meetings like a seasoned circus performer.

As if the drama wasn’t already on par with a Hollywood thriller, the Lakers held interviews with several candidates, including Sam Cassell of the Celtics, Chris Quinn from the Heat, Timberwolves' Micah Nori, and Nuggets' assistant David Adelman. Clearly, they were leaving no stone unturned, or perhaps, auditioning for the next season of 'Coaching Idol.'

Despite these distractions, the Lakers' quest zeroes in on whether it will be Redick carefully curating plays from a clipboard or Borrego adeptly calling the shots. With Redick’s charisma and Borrego’s experience, the team is essentially choosing between flash and substance—both crucial elements to winning in the NBA and making compelling reality TV.

The Lakers have a lot at stake, balancing their desire for a fresh face with their need for strategic expertise. No matter who lands the role, one thing is for sure: Lakers fans, much like the rest of us, are on a nail-biting ride. And in true LA fashion, the spotlight's glare is as intense as the sun on Sunset Boulevard.