The Los Angeles Lakers placed one of the riskiest bets of the offseason by hiring first-year head coach JJ Redick. Redick is renowned in NBA circles for his work as an analyst, as well as his successful playing career, but hasn't yet led a sideline at a level higher than youth basketball.
In preparation for his first season as an NBA head coach, Redick is hiring experienced figures who can help him navigate unfamiliar terrain—and his latest hire may be the most intriguing yet.
Los Angeles recently hired former NBA head coaches Scott Brooks and Nate McMillan to assistant coaching roles. In addition to building out the staff with experience, the Lakers are prioritizing one of Redick's key areas of focus: Player development.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Lakers have continued that trend by hiring Lindsey Harding, a former WNBA player and the reigning G League Coach of the Year, to Redick's staff.
"Sacramento Kings G League coach Lindsey Harding has agreed on a deal to become an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told ESPN on Tuesday."
It's yet another example of Redick surrounding himself with experienced coaches he knows and trusts, with a clear emphasis on player development.
Lindsey Harding brings an impressive résumé to JJ Redick's Lakers staff
With an impressive track record as a player development specialist, Harding fits Redick's vision for the Lakers. Prior to her G League success, she worked as a player development coach with the Philadelphia 76ers when Redick was playing for the team.
They also attended Duke at the same time, with Redick winning National Player of the Year in 2006 and Harding earning ACC Player of the Year honors the year after he entered the NBA.
Since then, Harding has become one of the top coaching prospects in the NBA. This past season, she led the Stockton Kings to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference of the G League, guiding the team to the Conference Finals in the playoffs.
As such, it should come as no surprise that Redick views their existing relationship, as well as Harding's vast playing and coaching experience, as an asset to his coaching staff.
Los Angeles has committed to its youth movement by drafting Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, and re-signing Max Christie to a four-year, $32 million deal. It also signed Summer League standout Colin Castleton to a two-way contract for the second consecutive season.
Furthermore, the Lakers have publicly named Christie, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Austin Reaves as members of their young core.
Building a winning team around Anthony Davis and LeBron James continues to be the goal, but the Lakers' hiring of Harding further establishes how important it is to Redick to develop talent. It's an area in which Los Angeles has found limited success during the Pelinka tenure, but there's a clear desire to change course.
If the initial decision to hire Redick and the subsequent moves to surround him with player development specialists is a sign of things to come, then the tide is changing.