JJ Redick started his head coaching career in the NBA with back-to-back seasons of 50 or more wins. Take a look at many of the win-loss projections for the Los Angeles Lakers out there and you will find the clear expectation is for that trend to end. What happens if, or when, it doesn't?
A polarizing offseason has the Lakers around the mid-40s mark when it comes to win projections. Who gets the credit if the team blows past that figure and wins 50-plus again, securing a top-four seed in the process? Last year, the answer was no one.
Despite the Lakers finishing as the fourth seed after some had them penciled in for a regression to the Play-In Tournament, the goalposts were moved. As a result, NBA award recognition eluded the Lakers. There was no MVP for Luka Doncic, no Coach of the Year for JJ Redick, nothing of the sort.
Surely, one of those two can make a serious award push this season if the Lakers are overachievers again, right?
It would be nice if Doncic could finally capture that elusive first MVP. However, if the voters insist on Victor Wembanyama being crowned, then credit is still owed somewhere. That is when fans should (rightfully) call for Redick to capture the first Coach of the Year award of his career.
JJ Redick should be on the verge of recognition among the NBA's best coaches
Redick had a rough ending to his rookie season as a head coach. The Lakers bench boss has grown a ton since that first-round series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2025.
There were several remarkable traits on display for Redick last season. For one, his ability to manage egos was tremendous. JJ did his best to not only reel in Deandre Ayton when it was needed, but he also managed to get LeBron James to buy in on being a third option in the name of team success.
Both of those things deserve serious kudos.
Redick was also masterful when the moment called for a well-designed ATO. The Lakers were regularly coming out of those stoppages with the leg up thanks to their head coach.
There was a noticeable ability to maximize the group he had last season, too. In particular, the Lakers struggled on the defensive end to start the year. They were a much improved unit down the stretch thanks to Redick tinkering with the tactics.
All of that, and more, helped equate to a 53-win campaign and homecourt advantage in the first round of the NBA Playoffs for Los Angeles.
For any of the criticisms that might surround this group now, one thing should be readily anticipated, and that would be Redick getting the most out of them. That should mean the Lakers are poised to steadily outperform their projections once more. For JJ, that would call for Coach of the Year buzz.
In 2025-26, Redick received three points on the ballot for the award. In 2024-25, it was five points. Hopefully for him, another potential 50-win season does not get overlooked this time around.
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