ESPN’s Udonis Haslem: Hiring JJ Redick would create ‘cynical’ Lakers locker room

If the NBA Playoffs are the league’s lead story and the NBA’s media rights are second, then the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching vacancy might be third.

The high-profile Lakers job may come with absurd expectations, but it’s a job many coaches clamor for. Recently, ESPN’s JJ Redick, who landed the lead NBA analyst job this season, was reported to be in the running for the role.

Considering Redick currently hosts a podcast with LeBron James, that would make for a pretty unique situation.

Colin Cowherd recently entered the fray to question the idea of Redick being the next Lakers coach. Cowherd’s logic and rationale might be worth questioning, but he’s not the only voice to be skeptical over this rumored move.

ESPN’s Udonis Haslem, a former NBA player and longtime member of the Miami Heat, discussed Redick coaching the Lakers on Tuesday during NBA Today.

“If it’s JJ [Redick], it’s gonna be a cynical locker room. You’re gonna see guys that are gonna say, ‘Is coach going to do a podcast after the game with LeBron?’ You’re gonna have a cynical locker room of guys that are gonna side-eye everything JJ says because they’re gonna… pic.twitter.com/n9fSfx5BCT

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 14, 2024

“I’m gonna go ahead and say it. If it’s JJ, it’s gonna be a cynical locker room,” Haslem said. “You’re going to see guys that are gonna say, ‘Is coach going to do a podcast after the game with LeBron?’ You’re gonna have a cynical locker room of guys that are gonna side-eye everything JJ says. Cause they’re gonna wonder, ‘Is it JJ’s message? Or is it LeBron’s message?'”

Haslem boosted one of his former coaches, Chris Smith, for the job and noted his previous experience working with James.

There’s a cloud of uncertainty around James and what he might do next year, especially with his son Bronny James entering the league. The Lakers are reportedly willing to do whatever it takes to keep King James in town, whether that includes drafting his son or installing his podcasting partner as their next head coach. But perhaps that second one is a bridge too far considering the issues that Haslam mentioned.

We’ll see if Redick has a response ready for his ESPN colleague. He’s usually on top of things in this particular arena.

[Awful Announcing]