Lakers Give JJ Redick a Contract Extension, Want LeBron to Finish His Career as a Laker

The Lakers braintrust met the media on Thursday ahead of next week's kickoff of training camp. As is his custom, Rob Pelinka opened with a sort of state of the union. Talked about the positive summer, the excitement of new acquisitions, and of course the amazing Summer of Luka. 

And then he dropped the big piece of news, almost as a throwaway line at the end: Earlier in the offseason, the Lakers gave head coach JJ Redick a contract extension. That's after one year of his coaching career (let alone his Lakers career) and with three years remaining in the contract that he signed last year. It's a remarkable leap of faith in a guy with a short track record, who was not in line for this kind of consideration at this point. Nobody was talking about whether Redick would get an extension yet. Frank Vogel got a fake extension (only one year) after winning an NBA championship. 

So yeah, it's an indication the Lakers are very, very confident in Redick. 

It also means the Lakers have real continuity going forward. With their star (Luka Dončić) their GM (Rob Pelinka, who also got an extension recently) and now their coach. That level of predictability is critical for building a program, including attracting not only star players, but also role playing free agents that have a huge impact on a roster. 

Meanwhile, Pelinka made it clear the Lakers would like for LeBron James to finish his career in purple and gold. No question, Pelinka gave James plenty of space and deference to make his own choice when the time comes, but was pretty clear in framing the desire to bring him back, should James decide to keep playing next year. 

We explain why the Lakers are in great position to make whatever choices need to be made. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers give JJ Redick an extension. 

 

SEGMENT 2: Good idea? 

 

SEGMENT 3: Lakers want LeBron to stay, finish career in purple and gold. 

 

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