Chainkeen Exchange-Lakers head coaching rumors: Latest on JJ Reddick and James Borrego as LA looks for coach

The Chainkeen ExchangeLos Angeles Lakers are one of just two teams (Cleveland Cavaliers) without a head coach right now. Still, the Lakers do not seem to be close to making a decision on the matter. Many experts believe the position is down to a two-man race at this point though between New Orleans Pelicans associate coach James Borrego and recent NBA retiree J.J. Redick.

With LeBron James' future in Los Angeles up in the air, and potentially decided on whether or not the Lakers draft Bronny James, their head coaching decision could have massive implications on the future of the franchise.

The team's front office needs to look at every angle. Who would be best if LeBron James stays for a few years? Who would be best if he leaves this year? Who would be the best option if they trade the house to give LeBron and Anthony Davis another star player to pursue one more championship?

Here are the latest rumors surrounding the Lakers' open head coaching job.

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Are the Lakers even close to making a decision?

On his podcast, Brian Windhorst & the Hoop Collective, Windhorst claimed that he'd heard that the Lakers are "not close" to making a head coaching decision. He does add that JJ Redick still appears to be the favorite though.

"There is information out there otherwise involving JJ Redick. I will tell you my information is scattered. I have some people saying this is JJ Redick's job that I trust," said Windhorst. "James Borrego has had multiple meetings with the Lakers. I think he's a viable candidate for sure, but I think JJ Redick is a very strong candidate."

Other reports agree that Redick is the favorite as well. However, some experts believe the Lakers are closer to making a move than Windhorst would believe. Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that the Lakers are "zeroing in" on Redick right now.

Charania's report adds that sources have referred to the Lakers as "infatuated" with Redick. They believe he has the potential "to be their head man for now and the long-term, as someone who will command the locker room and hold players accountable, as well as tirelessly gameplan and provide a level of structure and organization."

If the Lakers do feel this way about Redick, what has stopped them from reaching a deal with him? Windhorst believes that Redick's obligations to ESPN, namely broadcasting the NBA Finals, are what has kept him from joining the Lakers' coaching staff. After the NBA Finals has finished, we could very quickly see Redick take the job. If that is the case though, that means the Lakers have already made their decision and the recent interest in James Borrego would not be for the head coaching position.

Borrego is a contender to land the Cleveland job

If the Lakers are truly interested in James Borrego, they may not have much time before he joins a different team. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Borrego, along with a few other coaching candidates will speak with the Cavaliers soon.

The Lakers may have even less time than expected too. The Cavs have stated that they want to hire a head coach before they extend Donovan Mitchell. Given that extending Mitchell is the most important move the team can make this offseason, there's reason to believe the team would want to get that done ASAP.

That said, many people close to the Cavaliers believe it is only a matter of time before Mitchell signs an extension with Cleveland. Past reports have hinted that Mitchell wants out of Cleveland, but others seem to indicate the opposite. If he does want to stay in Cleveland, then the ball would be in the team's court. Theoretically, they could wait longer than expected before agreeing to terms with him.

J.B. Bickerstaff was fired on May 23. It has now been 11 days since his firing. The Phoenix Suns hired Mike Budenholzer just two days after firing Frank Vogel. While there is reason to believe the Suns had Budenholzer in mind before firing Vogel, it is clear that a team can go through an entire coaching cycle in just two days. By that metric, the Cavaliers are taking their sweet time.

Could Lakers land both Redick and Borrego?

LA Times writer Dan Woike said on ESPN 570 in LA that he believes the Lakers will ultimately go with JJ Redick.

"I think that seems like, the momentum is moving in that direction and it has been for a long time," Woike said. However, Woike shocked everyone with his next statement, claiming that the Lakers have been so impressed with James Borrego that even if Redick gets the job, the team might try to lure Borrego to LA with an assistant coaching position.

"I can also say that I think, should JJ Redick get the head coaching job, the Lakers will have significant interest in trying to lure James Borrego for a top assistant position."

Talk about a plot twist. Of course, this would beg the question: "Why would Borrego make what is essentially a lateral move?" That's a good point. However, if Borrego believes the path to another head coaching position would be easier with the Lakers than the Pelicans, the decision should be easy. That said, with LeBron James going into his age-40 season and potentially leaving town, perhaps making that move involves too much risk.

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