Former NBA player JJ Redick has responded to allegations that LeBron James played a role in his hiring as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. In a recent interview, Redick denied any involvement from James, stating that the two did not discuss the job until after he was offered the position.
A Tweet read,
“J.J. Redick responds to ‘cap’ allegations regarding LeBron James and Lakers job:”
J.J. Redick responds to ‘cap’ allegations regarding LeBron James and Lakers job: https://t.co/d1an96NLQM
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 25, 2024
The Allegations
The controversy began when some fans and analysts speculated that Redick might have discussed the Lakers’ head coaching job with LeBron James before officially receiving the offer. Given their previous collaboration on a podcast, these allegations gained traction, leading to questions about the transparency of the hiring process.
JJ Redick’s Response
JJ Redick addressed these allegations during a press conference, where he clarified the timeline of events. Redick stated that he did not discuss the Lakers’ job with LeBron James until after he received the official offer. He emphasized that their first conversation about the coaching position occurred on June 20th, shortly after he was offered the job. Redick explained, “People thought I was capping — is that the correct term? People said that’s cap. I think that means you’re lying. No, it’s the honest truth”
The Timeline
Redick provided a detailed account of the timeline to support his claims. He mentioned that he received the offer on June 20th and had a brief phone conversation with LeBron James later that day. This conversation was the first time they discussed the possibility of Redick coaching the Lakers. Redick’s transparency aimed to dispel any doubts about the integrity of the hiring process.
ALSO READ: Memphis Grizzlies to Retire Tony Allen’s No. 9 Jersey on March 15th