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Lakers head coaching candidate JJ Redick is being trolled online following a recent newsbreak surrounding Dan Hurley. Reports have been circulating Thursday morning that Hurley is, and always has been, the top target in the Los Angeles search.
This offers a stark contrast to what was leaked earlier this week, with Shams Charania of The Athletic calling Redick the hands-down favorite.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are zeroing in on JJ Redick as the front-runner to be the franchise’s next head coach… No final decision has been made… but the indications are strong that Redick is their leading choice at this stage.”
The move would’ve made sense for a lot of reasons.
Redick is believed to be one of the best basketball minds on the market, though he currently spends his time on television in an NBA analyst role. He has a preexisting relationship with LeBron James, with the duo hosting a podcast together. He’s familiar with the LA area given his time playing for the Clippers.
No one batted an eye when he was anointed the favorite.
JJ Redick further fueled the fire with an appearance on the GoJo and Golic show Wednesday morning. In an interview with hosts Mike Golic, Sr. and Mike Golic, Jr., Redick teased viewers with a sly comment on his Lakers candidacy.
“My focus is on the NBA Finals. In terms of Shams, that will be addressed once the season is over. I’ll just say that.” @jj_redick addresses the elephant in the room — the rumors of the Lakers’ interest in him as their new Head Coach pic.twitter.com/6OwYnG5iHQ
— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) June 5, 2024
“My focus is on calling the NBA Finals,” he said. “In terms of Shams, that will be addressed once the season is over. I’ll just say that.”
He almost made it seem like it was a done deal! As it turns out, that may not be the case!
Dan Hurley, not JJ Redick, was named the Lakers’ top target on Thursday.
Just 24 hours after that appearance, Adrian Wojnarowski shocked the NBA world by saying the national title winning UCONN coach was the leader in the clubhouse. Going a step further, he said it’s always been that way!
Hurley has been at the forefront of the Lakers’ coaching search from the beginning of the process, even while the organization has done its due diligence interviewing several other candidates.
Folks online hadn’t forgotten about Redick’s tease from the day prior, and it didn’t take them long to begin trolling on social media.
“JJ Redick will be the next Lakers head coach”
Dan Hurley: pic.twitter.com/wXjal193X5
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) June 6, 2024
Not so fast, my friend.
JJ Redick right now: pic.twitter.com/D9LD3sfQS4
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) June 6, 2024
Will he continue to get a look, or have the Lakers moved on?
JJ Redick showing up for his next interview with the Lakers:pic.twitter.com/Bueiu9cvE0
— theScore (@theScore) June 6, 2024
The bombshell report spices up the Los Angeles coaching search even more.
Dan Hurley, who’s fresh off back-to-back titles with the Huskies, turned down a number of high-profile NCAA jobs in order to stay in Storrs. He was adamant on sticking with his UCONN program as he looks to build a dynasty.
Is the NBA a big enough draw to cause him to leave Connecticut? Time will tell!