Lakers Pursuing Two Former Head Coaches to Join JJ Redick’s Staff

The Los Angeles Lakers finally have their head coach after officially introducing JJ Redick as the new man in charge earlier in the week. This is obviously a risky choice as the 39-year-old has no prior coaching experience. However, the Lakers have a plan to alleviate these concerns.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in Jacque Vaughn and Dwane Casey as potential assistant coaches to join Redick's staff.

Lakers News: Dwane Casey & Jacque Vaughn Candidates to Join Redick's Staff

This makes a lot of sense. Both coaches have extensive experience both as assistant and head coaches. Casey was the head coach of the Detroit Pistons and the Toronto Raptors for 12 seasons. Before then, he won an NBA championship as the assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks under Rick Carlisle in 2011.

Vaughn has similarly worked as a head coach on two separate teams, the Orlando Magic between 2012 and 2015, and the Brooklyn Nets between 2022 and 2024. Previously, he has played for and worked under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio. Coaches from the Popovich coaching tree have usually worked out well for teams in the NBA.

Vaughn and Casey both struggled in their last head coaching gigs and therefore will need to take an assistant position before trying their luck again as the main guy. The Lakers would provide that for them.

Most recently, Jason Kidd joined the Lakers coaching staff back in 2019 after failing as the head coach of the Bucks and the Nets. Following the 2020 NBA championship under Frank Vogel, Kidd got an opportunity with the Dallas Mavericks and established himself as one of the best head coaches in the league.

Whether it is Casey, Vaughn, or another former head coach, the Lakers desperately need more experience on the sidelines.

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