After weeks of anticipation, general manager Rob Pelinka has hired JJ Redick to become the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. It's a decision that will end the uncertainty and officially commence an offseason that will go a long way toward deciding the future of the franchise.
While cap space is limited, Redick will now look to wield his influence as the Lakers pursue a limited list of options in free agency.
Redick, 39, played 15 seasons in the NBA. He joined forces with some of the biggest names and most promising players across multiple generations, playing for the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Dallas Mavericks.
As fate would have it, an intriguing list of players who once called Redick a teammate is now entering free agency at the exact time he's becoming a first-year head coach.
It's possible that Redick will avoid bringing in familiar faces and instead begin his coaching career with a clean slate. There are intriguing options in free agency with ties to Redick, however, and the Lakers would be wise to at least kick the tires on a potentially fruitful acquisition.
That includes a two-way player who could potentially fly far enough under the radar to be attainable for Los Angeles.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, UFA
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a player whom the Los Angeles Lakers should make a serious run at this offseason. That was true before JJ Redick was hired as head coach and has become even more intriguing in the aftermath of that decision.
Alexander-Walker played with JJ Redick for a season-and-a-half with the New Orleans Pelicans, and that history could be valuable this offseason.
Alexander-Walker has evolved as a player since his time as Redick's teammate. Previously known for his scoring ability, he's become one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA, thriving in said role with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Now an unrestricted free agent, it stands to reason that Alexander-Walker will look to the open market for an opportunity to land more playing time.
Alexander-Walker finished the 2023-24 regular season with averages of 8.0 points, 2.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made on a slash line of .439/.391/.800. He did so in just 23.4 minutes per game, starting 20 of his 82 appearances.
It's worth noting that one of the primary influences for Alexander-Walker in his emergence as a high-level shooter is none other than Redick himself.
Here's what Nickeil said after practice today about competing against "a professional shooter" like Redick pic.twitter.com/vkjUGQKCNu
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) October 3, 2019
It's a long shot, but if Redick and the Lakers can convince Alexander-Walker to sign for the mid-level exception or even execute a sign-and-trade, he would be a tremendous fit.
Eric Gordon, Player Option
This one is a bit of a reach, but JJ Redick interviewed Eric Gordon on The Old Man & the Three in December. It was a near hour-long conversation in which they spoke about a surplus of topics, including their history as opponents from the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers rivalry.
That doesn't necessarily mean that Gordon would be willing to play on a team that Redick is coaching, but they have a strong rapport that could translate well to the court.
Gordon, 35, has averaged at least 12.4 points per game in each of his 16 NBA seasons. He's one of the better shooters in the Association, boasting a career mark of 37.1 percent across his 886 regular season appearances.
Considering the Los Angeles Lakers need shooters who can come in off the bench and provide instant offense, Gordon is an appealing option.
Signing a player who's 35 years of age would certainly be risky, but Gordon's value has been consistent. He excels at working both with and without the ball, and has 64 games of postseason experience that showcase his ability to step up on a big stage.
With a player option worth $3,356,271 for the 2024-25 season, it's conceivable that Gordon could opt out and potentially sign with the Lakers for the veteran's minimum.
Tobias Harris, UFA
Tobias Harris is the epitome of the player whose value on the court is overshadowed by the the amount of money on his paycheck. A versatile and productive scorer who provides effort on defense, Harris will enter unrestricted free agency this summer.
Previously teammates with JJ Redick on the Philadelphia 76ers, Harris could be a quietly great target if the numbers somehow align.
Harris, 31, finished the 2023-24 regular season with averages of 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.7 blocks, and 1.3 three-point field goals made per game. It was yet another well-rounded season from a player who has quietly scored just under 15,000 career points.
A solid shooter, capable offensive rebounder, and well-rounded scoring option who's willing to defer, Harris could be a missing piece for the Los Angeles Lakers.
With Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves pencilled in as the three primary scoring options, Harris could step in with minimal pressure to produce. With defenses slanted toward the others, he could be invaluable as a player who punishes weak defense at all three levels.
The unfortunate hurdle is managing to afford Harris, who's likely to command a salary that the Lakers can't afford.
Jaxson Hayes, Player Option
Jaxson Hayes is already a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, but has a player option for the 2024-25 season. As the Lakers weigh their own options this offseason, it's possible that the history between Hayes and JJ Redick could come into play.
Hayes, much like Nickeil Alexander-Walker, was teammates with Redick during his stint with the New Orleans Pelicans and could reunite with him in 2024-25.
Hayes appeared in 70 games this past season, averaging 12.5 minutes per contest. In those scarce moments and opportunities, he shot an absurd 72.0 percent from the field while showcasing the explosive athleticism that has earned the intrigue of the NBA.
It's a small sample size, but in the five games that he started, Hayes averaged 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 offensive boards, 2.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 27.4 minutes.
Hayes either opting in or re-signing as a free agent would provide the Lakers with an interior player who Redick can help develop. Perhaps their history from their Pelicans days would lend itself to establishing a relationship as player and coach.
It's fair to question if Hayes' best bet in free agency is returning to Los Angeles, but Redick offers reason for optimism on that front.
Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors
Although not yet an official free agent, the Golden State Warriors may part ways with point guard Chris Paul. In the event that Paul hits the open market, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be a team he considers signing with.
Considering Paul was teammates with JJ Redick for several seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, it's safe to assume that relationship will rear its head this offseason.
Paul, who's also close friends with LeBron James, played with Redick from 2013-14 to 2016-17. They had a falling out at one point in time, but Redick told Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report in December of 2022 that they've repaired their relationship.
Having been through a challenging experience, there's reason to believe Redick could help Paul navigate the difficult situation of being a former superstar turned role player.
Paul isn't the All-NBA mainstay he used to be, but his court vision, defensive instincts, and elite shooting touch remain. This past season, he averaged 6.8 assists in just 27.2 minutes per game, which translates to 9.2 assists per 36 minutes.
Redick wants to take some of the playmaking pressure off of James, and adding Paul could be a way to help create a more balanced offensive system.