The Los Angeles Lakers have surged up the standings in JJ Redick’s first season as head coach — and now he’s made it clear he wants to stick around for a long time.
After a shaky start, the Lakers currently sit in fourth place in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, just one game behind the third-seeded Denver Nuggets. That turnaround has silenced many early-season skeptics, especially those who questioned whether Redick got the job due to his close ties with LeBron James.
“I will not move again. I won’t move my kids again,” Redick told the Los Angeles Times. “We’re here for the long haul; I’d love to be the coach of the Lakers for the next 15 to 20 years. If I’m not, my commitment in Los Angeles is for the long term.”
Lakers’ Turnaround Since Mid-January
After hovering just above .500 for much of the first half of the season, the Lakers flipped the switch starting January 16 with a one-point win over the Brooklyn Nets. That game sparked a dominant 26–12 run, vaulting them into serious playoff contention.
| Period | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| First 35 games | 18–17 | .514 |
| Since Jan 16 | 26–12 | .684 |
This stretch has been one of the most impressive turnarounds in the league, highlighting Redick’s steady leadership and growing influence on the locker room.
Goals Set — and Met
When JJ Redick took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, he made his goals for the season clear: win 50 games and secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. According to forward Rui Hachimura, Redick laid out those targets early — and achieved both.
“And he did it,” Hachimura said, underscoring the team’s belief in his leadership.
Redick also emphasized avoiding the Play-In Tournament and securing home-court advantage in the playoffs. Clinching the third seed in his first year at the helm marks a major accomplishment and sets the tone for what he hopes will be a long tenure in Los Angeles.
Redick’s Impact and the Luka Doncic Trade
Redick’s presence has brought renewed structure, better spacing, and sharper execution on both ends. The Lakers’ identity began to solidify even before their biggest move of the season — acquiring Luka Doncic on February 2 in a blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
The deal sent shockwaves through the league and redefined the team’s trajectory, giving Redick another superstar to build around alongside LeBron James.
