When the Lakers announced that they’d give JJ Redick a contract extension after just one season as head coach, my first reaction wasn’t outrage — it was confusion. I believe in JJ. I genuinely like what I’ve seen so far: his fresh ideas, the way he communicates with players, his composure during a sometimes-chaotic debut season. I think he’ll be successful. But that doesn’t mean this extension made sense right now.
A Team That Preaches “Process” Skipped the Process
For an organization that constantly stresses the importance of “process,” this was bad process. Redick’s original contract — reportedly four years, $32 million — still had multiple years left on it. The Lakers didn’t need to do this now. Extending closer to the end of that deal, once we’d seen more of his body of work, would have been the logical route.
One year is an incredibly small sample size for any coach. And in JJ’s case, that single year represents his only experience coaching above the youth-league level. Before this gig, his coaching résumé was limited to coaching his kids. That doesn’t disqualify him, but it does make it risky to lock in long-term so quickly.
Lessons the Lakers Should Have Learned
We’ve already seen how the honeymoon phase can fade. Darvin Ham, another first-time head coach, reached the Western Conference Finals in Year 1 — a better postseason result than JJ’s first-round exit this spring. By Year 2, Ham’s questionable rotations and in-game decisions had the locker room and fanbase frustrated, and he was fired.
I doubt that will happen with Redick. His approach looks steadier and more adaptable. But it’s not outside the realm of possibility. Extending him now feels like the Lakers learned nothing from that recent experience.
The Financial Safety Net Argument
To be fair to the front office, NBA coaching contracts aren’t nearly as binding as player contracts. Teams hire and fire coaches all the time, and if JJ flames out, the Lakers can just let him go. But they would still have to pay what they owe him. They would essentially be shelling out millions of dollars for someone to NOT coach their team, which would be a poor financial decision.
The Wrong Timing
Redick led the Lakers to a 50–32 record, a top-three seed in the West, and brought a more modern offensive system. He’s earned respect from Luka Doncic and the veterans in the locker room. I truly think he’s the right man for the job.
What he hasn’t earned yet is an early-career extension. This was a bet on potential that the Lakers didn’t need to place so soon. If the team really believes in “process,” they should’ve trusted their own mantra and waited to see more before rewarding him.
