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LeBron James' agent did his best to distance the Los Angeles Lakers star from the team's coaching search, but social media wasn't having it after Los Angeles finally made its decision.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Lakers are hiring JJ Redick on a four-year contract.
Throughout the process, Redick's connection to James was inescapable. They launched a tactics-centric podcast in March, and Brian Windhorst of ESPN posited how the episodes were an interview of sorts for the former NBA guard.
James has yet to resolve his short-term future. He still hasn't decided whether he's going to pick up his $51.4 million option for 2024-25.
You'd assume the odds of him staying in Southern California have only improved with Redick's reported arrival, and that sets the stage for quite an interesting player/coach dynamic.
It would be wrong to say this is a legacy-defining moment for James because he cemented himself as an all-time great a long time ago. Redick's success or failure will, however, almost assuredly be attached to him in the years ahead.
If the 39-year-old thrives in his first NBA coaching opportunity, then LeBron will be credited for accurately seeing his potential in the role. But his critics will be eager to include this as a footnote in his legendary career if Redick flames out and the Lakers fall short of expectations.
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