The Los Angeles Lakers have made a habit out of taking chances on individuals whom most are uncertain about. They found diamonds in the rough in undrafted free agents such as Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves, and made an agent their general manager when they hired Rob Pelinka.
The most shocking decision the Lakers have made in recent years, however, was the choice to hire former player, podcaster, and analyst JJ Redick to his first career coaching job.
Redick played 15 NBA seasons after spending the previous four becoming the face of college basketall. The 2006 Naismith College Player of the Year became the quintessential late bloomer in the Association, averaging a career-best 18.1 points per game in his 13th season.
Even before he retired, Redick had ventured into the world of podcasting and analysis, earning plaudits for his in-depth analysis and ability to relate to the modern athlete.
Despite that success, few expected Redick's first venture into coaching to be one of the most prized head coaching jobs in professional sports. He not only got the lead role with a marquee organization, but was instantly given the opportunity to coach LeBron James.
Just 67 games into his first season as an NBA head coach, Redick has already secured his first coaching achievement: An above-.500 regular season record.
Lakers guaranteed to finish above .500 during JJ Redick's first season
For an organization that has won 17 championships, finishing the regular season above .500 is unlikely to spark much excitement. It's not only an expectation in Los Angeles, but an accomplishment that falls below the minimum standard for success—therefore beckoning the question of if it's an achievement at all.
Considering many expected the Lakers to miss the playoffs, and the 2024-25 regular season has been as turbulent a ride as any in recent memory, however, it's a genuinely impressive feat.
Los Angeles has navigated a 2024-25 campaign plagued by injuries, altered by trades, and nearly sabotaged by offseason inactivity. It's been on the wrong end of blowout losses, suffered seven defeats in nine games, and boldly opted to change franchise players without notice.
Through it all, Redick has ensured that the Lakers have never once fallen below .500—and they will now finish the season at no worse than 42-40.
Los Angeles fell to 4-4 on Nov. 6 and hasn't seen .500 since. It came relatively close when it dropped to 20-17 on Jan. 13, but it's since gone 22-8, emerging as one of the best defensive teams in the NBA despite an Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic trade that could've turned the defense on its head.
Instead, Redick has found ways to adapt on the fly, winning at a remarkable rate and seemingly taking every ounce of adversity in stride.
Most recently, the Lakers suffered injuries that blew their starting lineup apart just as soon as they'd hit their stride. It's the evolution of a season-long issue. LeBron James is about to miss his 10th game, while Rui Hachimura has been absent for 17 and counting, and Jarred Vanderbilt missed 44.
Despite having every reason to come up short of internal expectations, Redick has guided the Lakers through their trying times and given the team a guaranteed above-.500 season on his first try.
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