Although multiple reports are indicating that the Lakers are close to hiring JJ Redick as the franchises’ new head coach, he’s apparently not Anthony Davis’ preference.
Redick has been rumored to take over the role for weeks now, with others candidates like Pelicans assistant James Borrego also being considered.
Borrego is AD’s pick over current ESPN analyst, NBA insider Marc Stein reports.
“It has been suggested in some corners of the league that Lakers star big man Anthony Davis probably prefers for James Borrego to get the job over Redick,” Stein said in his substack. “Not only has Borrego been a head coach twice already in Orlando and Charlotte compared to Redick’s lack of head coaching experience, but he and Davis overlapped briefly during Borrego’s first stint with the Pelicans after Davis was drafted No. 1 overall in June 2012.”
Beside knowing Borrego, Redick’s lack of experience in the coaching realm – having never been in an assistant and head coach – could be another reason AD is a little put off.
Davis isn’t afraid to speak out about the Lakers’ coaching staff, evident after he torched them when the Lakers lost to the Nuggets in Game 2 during the first round.
LeBron obviously has a strong connection to Redick, since the pair started a podcast together in recent months.
But even James’ agent, Rich Paul, thinks that AD should have more sway than LeBron in the Lakers’ coaching decision.
“In my opinion, the Lakers focus should probably be more so on Anthony Davis than LeBron at this point,” Paul told B/R late last month. “I think for him being so good for so long, people just think he controls the team. There’s no controlling of the team. And JJ is a friend. We respect JJ. I know LeBron and JJ have the podcast. I did JJ’s podcast. Me and JJ talk hoops all the time. He does know hoops. But just because they have a podcast, the Lakers have to make a decision for now and later.”
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