Lakers Reportedly Poaching Clippers Coach for JJ Redick's Staff
By Cem Yolbulan
The Los Angeles Lakers have been frustratingly quiet this offseason in making additions to the roster. They haven't made any moves in free agency or the trade market, much to the chagrin of the fanbase. At the same time, they have been working tirelessly to surround JJ Redick with the best coaching staff possible.
Trying to quell the concerns about Redick's lack of experience, the Lakers hired Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks, two established veteran coaches, as his two top assistants. They also announced the hiring of G League Coach of the Year Lindsey Harding as an assistant earlier this week.
Dan Woike of the LA Times reported that the Lakers are now finalizing another coaching hire. Beau Levesque, who has been the Player Development Coordinator for the Clippers for the last four years, will be joining the Lakers.
NBA Rumors: Lakers Poaching Clippers Coach for JJ Redick's Staff
As the Lakers finalize their staffing, the name I’m hearing is Clippers development coordinator Beau Levesque - well regarded for his on-court work with players and his organization.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 18, 2024
After starting his NBA journey with the Brooklyn Nets in June 2018 as a player development and video assistant, Levesque quickly moved up in the hierarchy. Since last summer, he has been working as the lead development coordinator for the Clippers, and as Woike points out, he is well-regarded around the league.
Player development will be hugely important for the Lakers next season. Not only have they drafted Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, but they still have Jalen Hood-Schifino and Max Christie who are in the early stages of their careers. In order to establish their NBA careers and become productive players for the Lakers, they need to show significant improvement.
Someone who helped turn Terance Mann from a second-round pick to an everyday starter certainly fits the bill for what the Lakers need.
This hire has the added benefit of weakening your intra-city rivals. The Clippers have already taken a step back this summer by losing Paul George in free agency. Losing important members of the coaching staff like Levesque could also have longer-term effects on the organization.
More Lakers news and rumors:
feed