Recent reports suggest the Los Angeles Lakers are planning to hire JJ Redick as their next head coach, though another candidate remains in contention.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego has been Redick’s primary competitor over the past two weeks. Borrego impressed the team during his interview last week.
Borrego, unlike Redick, has head coaching experience, having led the Charlotte Hornets for four seasons before joining the Pelicans. He started his NBA coaching career as an assistant under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, winning championships in 2005 and 2007.
Anthony Davis is familiar with Borrego, who left the Hornets in 2012 just before Davis was drafted. While they haven’t worked together, Davis reportedly thinks highly of Borrego.
Even if Redick is chosen, Buha believes the Lakers may want Borrego to join Redick’s staff as an assistant. It is unclear if Borrego would accept such a role.
The Lakers might be waiting for the NBA Finals to conclude before making Redick’s hiring official, as he is currently covering the series as an analyst for ESPN. All indications point to Redick getting the job, although nothing has been finalized yet.
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