JJ Redick vs James Borrego: Breakdown of LA Lakers' leading HC candidates' ceilings to determine the better choice

The LA Lakers are getting closer to naming their next head coach after firing Darvin Ham following a disappointing postseason showing in the first round. The Lakers have reportedly narrowed down their coaching search to a handful of names like JJ Redick and James Borrego.

According to Dan Woike of the LA Times, Borrego is set to get an in-person interview with the Lakers. He's an experienced coach and is mainly known for his offensive schemes. He also has a good relationship with Lakers star big man Anthony Davis.

Meanwhile, TNT's Chris Haynes believes the Lakers will name Redick as their head coach and a search for his assistants is underway. Borrego, Sam Cassell, Jared Dudley and Rajon Rondo are some of the names possibly being hired to help Redick in his first year as an NBA head coach.

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JJ Redick's coaching resume

JJ Redick is considered a front-runner for the LA Lakers head coaching position.

JJ Redick has no prior experience in coaching in the NBA or even at the collegiate level. He went into broadcasting after retiring from the league in 2021. He has the desire to become an NBA coach and was even considered for the Toronto Raptors opening last year.

Redick was also interviewed for the vacancy in Charlotte, but it seems like he will be the frontrunner for the LA Lakers coaching position. Based on his "Mind the Game" podcast with LeBron James, Redick has the basketball intelligence to become a head coach.

The 39-year-old Duke product was also a former NBA player, which means he will have a better rapport with his roster. He also has great interactions with players who come to his "Old Man and the Three" podcast with Tommy Alter.

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James Borrego's coaching resume

The LA Lakers are interested in James Borrego.

James Borrego serves as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans. Borrego began his coaching career as an assistant in San Diego before getting hired by the San Antonio Spurs in 2003. He won two championships in San Antonio and learned a lot from Gregg Popovich.

Borrego also had stints with the Orlando Magic and returned to San Antonio before becoming the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets in 2018. He lasted four years in Charlotte before getting fired after failing to make the postseason. He's in his second stint as an assistant in New Orleans.

As for his coaching, Borrego is known to be a players' coach. He's easy to communicate with and won't be difficult to please. His offense has been proven to be effective after making the Hornets a top-10 offense during his stint there. His Hornets were a great efficient shooting team that moved the ball well to create easy shots.

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Who will the LA Lakers hire as their next head coach?

Rob Pelinka needs to find the perfect coach for the LA Lakers.

James Borrego is the safe choice for the LA Lakers, given his track record as a coach. Borrego could do wonders for the Lakers due to his offensive style although the current roster won't be world-beaters. The Lakers will need to rebuild their roster with Borrego's offense in mind.

Meanwhile, JJ Redick is the riskier hire, as he has no prior coaching experience. But if the Lakers can surround him with great assistant coaches, he can be a success. It also helps that LeBron James knows how his mind works given they share a podcast together.

The Lakers could be in a win-win situation if they hire Redick as head coach and sign Borrego as one of his assistants. Once they figure out the coaching staff, they need to go all in on their roster reconstruction if they want to contend under James' last legs.