Report: Lakers interested in ESPN analyst for head coach job

Apr 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Los Angeles Lakers logo at center court during game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are considering making a head coach change, and they are expected to consider an ESPN analyst if they make the move.

ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” for an interview on Thursday. During his appearance, Patrick asked if McMenamin felt JJ Redick could be a candidate for the head coach job if the Lakers were to fire Darvin Ham.

“JJ certainly is a real candidate if they do open up this coaching search,” McMenamin said.

However, McMenamin said he would expect the team to consider “several viable candidates” for an interview. McMenamin also said he felt current Clippers head coach Ty Lue might be a candidate as well.

Ham was still the head coach of the Lakers at the time this story was published. But McMenamin said he anticipated the Lakers would make a change.

Dave McMenamin (@Mcten) discusses the #Lakers future at Head Coach, including the possibility that they look at JJ Redick to replace Darvin Ham pic.twitter.com/fmoG4vniqh

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) May 2, 2024

Ham has coached the Lakers for two seasons. Though the team reached the Western Conference finals last season, they lost in five games in the first round this season. Both years, the Lakers got into the playoffs via the play-in tournament and were eventually eliminated by the Nuggets. Most reporters are saying they expect Ham to be fired.

As for Redick, he retired from the NBA after the 2021 season and currently serves as an analyst for ESPN. He interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets job recently and is said to be a serious candidate for the position. Redick also recently launched a podcast with LeBron James, which could play a role in him being considered if the Lakers were to make a coaching change.