Lakers Handing JJ Redick Multi-Year Extension After Just 1 Season Leaves Fans In Disbelief: “Can He Prove Something First?”

Los Angeles Lakers took a big chance on former player JJ Redick last season despite him not having any formal coaching experience.

Lakers Handing JJ Redick Multi-Year Extension After Just 1 Season Leaves Fans In Disbelief: “Can He Prove Something First?”

Lakers hand JJ Redick multi-year contract extension (Image via FirstSportz)

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The Los Angeles Lakers are moving into year two under first-time head coach JJ Redick and are hopeful he can take them up a notch after leading the men in purple and gold to third in the West.

As much as his coaching has been attributed to being that of Xs and Os, the former Clippers’ sharpshooter has managed to drill in a work ethic that was not evident in past seasons.

Sure, there were times when the Lakers felt as if they did not have it in them to play at their best every game, but that changed over the season and was instrumental in how they jumped to their highest seeding in a long time.

Redick was also instrumental in figuring out how to defeat the team’s usual Kryptonite, the Denver Nuggets, beating them twice in 4 regular-season meetings.

At one point, some felt the Los Angeles Lakers had it in them to fight for a championship. Come playoff time, their deficiencies were exposed, and the Minnesota Timberwolves booted them out in the 1st round.

Despite that disappointing end, it seems the Los Angeles Lakers were happy with what JJ Redick accomplished, and they believe it is a sign of things to come.

On that note, at the first Lakers’ preseason media session, GM Rob Pelinka revealed that they have handed the 41-year-old a multi-year contract extension, specifics of which were not made public.

When he first signed with the franchise, the father of two put pen to paper on a 4-year, $32 million contract last June. That could mean that his deal has a significant raise, as he still has 3 years left on his original deal.

Fans wonder if JJ Redick is worth a new contract extension

Basketball fans have witnessed JJ Redick seemingly transform the Los Angeles Lakers with basically much of the same squad they had in the 2023-24 season.

Even after losing Anthony Davis and rising star Max Christie in the Luka Doncic trade, he made enough adjustments to keep them in winning form. In fact, the former ESPN analyst helped the team become better defensively despite losing their star big man.

However, where fans have a problem with this contract extension is that they feel Redick’s questionable decisions cost the Lakers a chance to at least move into the second round.

They would have preferred if the franchise had waited until the next season to then decide to give him a raise. Fans do not feel the time is right and feel the Lakers jumped the gun. Check out examples of those comments below:

Now that the Los Angeles Lakers have a new majority owner, it is likely that this contract extension came with his blessings. That means the owners, as well as GM Rob Pelinka, have seen something they believe will keep the franchise at the top of the NBA.

JJ Redick reiterates his expectation of the Lakers

Entering his second season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the expectation will be that JJ Redick will lead them to a better result than last season. With that in mind, the Duke alum reiterated what he is looking for from his players.

JJ Redick wants championship commitment from his players
JJ Redick wants championship commitment from his players (Image via AZHoops/X)

We’re going to ask guys to be in championship shape, have championship communication, and championship habits. It’s a daily commitment.

JJ Redick said at the Lakers press conference

He further revealed that in conversations with LeBron James and Luka Doncic, they agreed with his demand for commitment and believes the entire team will respond similarly.

If he gets what he is looking for from his players, this contract extension may look like a good decision 10 months from now. However, until that happens, every fan and analyst will be looking to pounce on his mistakes.

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