Report: Lakers, JJ Redick set for first formal interview in Los Angeles

The Lakers will finally hold an in-person interview with JJ Redick that could see him become the frontrunner for the head coach job.

In a move that has been a long time coming, the Lakers will reportedly hold an in-person interview with JJ Redick this weekend. After long being seen as the frontrunner for the job, Redick will be the second candidate to reportedly have a formal interview, following James Borrego.

Redick will visit Los Angeles this weekend to meet with Rob Pelinka, Jeanie Buss and the front office, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

JJ Redick will formally interview for the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching job this weekend, and a strong performance is expected to move him to the forefront of the franchise’s search, sources told ESPN.

This move comes after the Lakers unsuccessfully pursued Dan Hurley last weekend. The UConn head coach spurned the franchise to remain in Connecticut, leaving the team to regroup and move forward in their search.

Most assumed that would mean formally moving forward with Redick, which appears to be the case. According to Woj, Redick spoke with Pelinka for over 90 minutes at the NBA Draft Combine earlier this month. The two also discussed the team’s pursuit of Hurley, which Reddick “understands and accepts.”

Now, with this in-person interview, Redick looks primed to establish himself as the top candidate in the search, as Woj reported.

As New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego’s candidacy gains traction in Cleveland, Redick has a chance to make his case in an all-day session with Pelinka, Buss and other senior decision-makers in Los Angeles, sources said.

Prior to the team going after Hurley, Redick was seen as the frontrunner for the job. The team has had to wait for Redick to become available after the NBA Finals, which appear to be on the brink of finishing as the Celtics hold a 3-0 lead as part of the darkest timeline.

With Game 4 coming on Friday and Game 5, should it be necessary, not coming until Monday, there’s time for Redick to come to Los Angeles and meet with the team. And if things play out just right, the team could soon be hiring it’s next head coach.

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