Lakers' Jeanie Buss: 'I Was Worried' About JJ Redick Hire Because He Lacked Experience

Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss revealed that she initially had reservations about hiring first-time head coach JJ Redick.

"I was worried about hiring a rookie coach," Buss said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "This team is so important to this community, and to bring in a rookie coach that had no experience before, that was a big leap. But I knew that [Redick and Pelinka] would work well together, and I love watching the progress that they're making."

The Lakers hired Redick in June 2024, representing his first NBA coaching role.

The former shooting guard was only three years removed from his playing days, as he spent the 2020-21 season with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks before retiring.

Los Angeles has excelled in its first year with Redick, owning the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference with a 36-21 record. The Lakers have remained one of the league's top offenses with LeBron James, ranking No. 10 in offensive rating (via NBA.com).

Redick's squad has also improved as the year has progressed, holding a 12-3 record over the team's past 15 games. The Lakers have also maintained a 107.6 defensive rating over that span, the top mark in the association (via NBA.com).

The job hasn't been easy for Redick, as he's navigated through some roster turnover after Los Angeles acquired superstar Luka Dončić while sending out Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks.

While Buss may have been wary when Redick was hired, it's safe to say that the coach has met expectations throughout the 2024-25 season.