The Lakers’ head coaching role has been the talk of the town since the organization fired Darvin Ham. As of now, former NBA player JJ Redick and veteran coaches Sam Cassell and James Borrego seem potential suitors for the role. The uncertainty around a possible decision from the Lakers has given rise to several speculations, generating varied reactions from NBA fans and experts.
Advertisement
Kevin Garnett seems keenly interested in the Lakers’ head coach recruitment process. In one of his recent Instagram stories, the Celtics legend shared a reel that furthered the rumor around JJ Redick finalizing a deal as the Lakers’ head coach. Adding his two cents on this ordeal, KG wrote in the caption,
“If this mf can get a job fresh off the bench, then why can’t my guy Sam Cassell get one too…”
KG goes off on JJ potentially being the Lakers' new head coach pic.twitter.com/NCRZ2jbSUB
— tragicpatek (@tragicpatek) May 16, 2024
To substantiate KG’s claim, Cassell has sufficient experience as a player and a coach to take up the incumbent role for the Lakers. He is a 3x NBA champion as a player and is currently an assistant coach under Joe Mazzulla at the Boston Celtics. Clearly, Cassell’s credentials warrant him for the role over Redick.
However, as it now seems, Redick and Borrego seem like the finalists to fill the position. Furthermore, the former Clipper’s ties with LeBron James might also influence the front office’s decision if they wish to retain their veteran talisman for a few more seasons.
Interestingly, Kevin Garnett had previously also expressed his distaste over Redick taking up the potential head coaching role. Ripping into the former guard, alongside Stephen A. Smith, the Ticket said,
“JJ Redick does not know our cultural basketball. Okay, he knows what he knows, okay? When you start digging through the crates and the vinyls, that’s what I’m talking about.”
The Lakers seem to have narrowed down several assistant coaches’ names as options to shop. Garnett will likely support his pal Sam Cassell for this gig, alongside whom he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Boston Celtics.
Kevin Garnett’s relationship with Sam Cassell likely influenced his choice
KG and Sam Cassell’s relationship goes back to when they played for the Timberwolves and then the Celtics. Garnett considers himself lucky to play alongside Cassell in two different teams, as the latter was a strong veteran presence and a natural leader in the locker room.
During the 2003-04 season, the Wolves had captured the first seed in the Western Conference with a 58-24 record. At that time, they emerged as potential title contenders and had a dominant playoff run. Recalling Cassell’s stepping up as a leader for the team, last year, KG said,
“He [Sam Cassell] had been through so many series that he was giving us confidence on playing it out. That’s when I really value the veteran, that’s when I looked at the veteran to stand up, not the coaches, not not the organization, but the veterans that have been through it they navigated us through”
The Timberwolves unfortunately fell short against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. However, given Cassell’s veteran and coaching experience, it’s understandable why KG would back him for a potential Lakers head coach role.
