'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
JJ Redick has had a busy past few days since the LA Lakers introduced him as the team’s new coach. The former NBA journeyman reportedly signed a four-year, $8 million deal to head arguably the league’s marquee franchise. He has hit the ground running as he prepares for a season that will unquestionably be under intense scrutiny.
After helping oversee the team’s draft, Redick and the Lakers are forming the coaching staff. NBA insider Dave McMenamin reported a few hours ago that the Hollywood team is interested in acquiring Dwane Casey, the veteran coach. The 2018 NBA Coach of the Year has been with the Detroit Pistons over the past five years, the last one being in the front office.
Trending
Basketball fans on X, formerly Twitter, promptly reacted to news of the LA Lakers’ potentially adding Casey to JJ Redick’s staff:
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
“Went from losing to lebron every year to now being his assistant”
One fan already figured out which way Dwane Casey would be going:
“Go to LA or stay in Detroit? Hmmmm tough choice”
Another fan insisted the Lakers should have kept somebody already on the coaching staff over the years:
“Lakers are cooked without Phil Handy. Big Loss.”
@Jospitta’s comment dripped with sarcasm:
“Not to mention that in 2018 he was fired after he won coach of the year. Casey would be great for our bench.”
Dwane Casey’s Toronto Raptors from 2016-18 were eliminated in the playoffs by LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. During that stretch, the only time the Raptors pushed James was during the 2015-16 season when Cleveland won 4-2. The other two series were wipeouts, leading the Raptors to fire Casey after the 2017-18 season despite winning the Coach of the Year award.
Casey started his career on the bench at Kentucky as an assistant coach in 1979. Unlike JJ Redick, he has a ton of experience coaching, which is probably why the LA Lakers are interested in him.
The Lakers reportedly want an experienced coaching staff around JJ Redick
During the press conference introducing JJ Redick as the LA Lakers’ new head coach, the popular podcaster insisted on one thing. He said he has enough experience to lead the NBA’s most glamorous franchise. Redick’s career at Duke, his 15 seasons in the league and interviews with coaches were big reasons for his claim.
The Lakers believe in Redick. Otherwise, they would not have hired him. Still, that has not stopped them from trying to put around the new play-caller an experienced coaching staff.
Evan Sidery reported that LA is eyeing James Borrego, Sam Cassell, Scott Brooks, Rajon Rondo and Jared Dudley to be part of JJ Redick's staff.
JJ Redick might end up having just one or two. The Boston Celtics are bumping up Cassell’s role keep him, while Borrego could be headed to Detroit. Interestingly, Dwane Casey might have something to do with the former Charlotte Hornets head coach going to the Pistons.
Dudley and Rondo, both with Lakers history, could be with the team when the season starts. Like Redick, Rondo has not coached in the NBA before, but LeBron James has raved bout his former teammates' basketball IQ.
