Lakers News: JJ Redick Almost Joined Celtics Coaching Staff

The Lakers head coach almost joined Joe Mazzulla's staff with the Celtics.

Feb 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts to a call by NBA referee Justin Van Duyne (64) during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images | Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers made the bold decision to hire JJ Redick as their head coach after parting ways with Darvin Ham. Redick had never been a head coach before at any level of basketball.

It's safe to say that the Lakers made the right decision. The Lakers have become the second-best team in the Western Conference under his leadership.

Redick has been able to keep the Lakers' defense in a really good spot, even after trading away Anthony Davis. They have the second-best defensive rating in the league in the last 15 games.

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Redick almost didn't end up in Los Angeles, though. Redick actually almost ended up as part of the coaching staff for the Celtics.

In fact, Mazzulla played some golf with Redick in the offseason of 2022 and almost convinced him to join him on staff. They have a mutual respect for each other because of how much they each love basketball.

The Celtics were almost able to bring him on staff. Instead, the Lakers opened up their head coaching job a couple of years later, and Redick was able to impress them enough to get the job.

Los Angeles is very happy that's how it played out. Redick will be one of the candidates for NBA Coach of the Year after what he's been able to do with this group.

Adding Luka Doncic has certainly helped Redick and the rest of the Lakers play better, but Redick has had this team playing well even before Doncic started playing for them.

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Los Angeles is fighting with the Denver Nuggets for the second spot in the Western Conference standings. They are the hottest team in the NBA right now, so they are looking good for that spot.

As they get ready to take on the Celtics, Lakers players and fans have to be happy that Redick is on their sideline instead of Boston's.

Mazzulla has done just fine without Redick. He has become an NBA champion head coach since almost bringing him on staff.

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