EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – While LeBron James begins his eighth season with the Los Angeles Lakers in a contract year, the future of coach JJ Redick with the team is much clearer after signing an extension. The lack of a long-term agreement between the Lakers and James, 40 years old, who in June exercised the $52.6 million option for the 2025-26 season, has fueled speculation about the superstar’s future with the team, which will open training camp next week. Rob Pelinka, president of basketball operations and general manager, insisted on Thursday that the Lakers expect to stay in the LeBron business as long as the four-time champion wants to be with them.
The first thing we want to do in terms of LeBron and his future is to give him absolute respect so that he chooses his story with his family in terms of how many years he will continue playing. He has earned that right.
Rob Pelinka
Although James’ future remains uncertain, Pelinka announced the team’s commitment to Redick, their second-year coach who signed a four-year contract in June 2024. Although the terms of the new agreement were not announced, sources reported that it was a multi-year extension.We would love for LeBron’s story to be that he retired as a Laker. That would be a positive story.
Rob Pelinka
Pelinka said the decision came down to “trust and belief” in the 15-year former NBA veteran, who joined the Lakers without prior head coaching experience. “We believe he is a special coach with a special voice who is really helping us define the culture of Lakers excellence,” Pelinka said. “We just wanted to make a clear statement that this is what we believe in, what we are going to support, and what our players are going to be molded by as we continue to develop the identity. I think having long-term planning is helpful as we build this team and move forward.” Redick expressed his gratitude to Pelinka, to the Lakers’ interim governor, Jeanie Buss, and to the new Lakers owner, Mark Walter, for the opportunity.Just to be clear that he is the basketball leader in terms of our training and performance on the court.
Rob Pelinka
Redick spoke about the connection with James and Doncic during the summer and expressed his confidence in both for the season.This rarity of a first-time head coach receiving an extension doesn’t escape me. I recognize how fortunate I am to be in an organization that supports me in that way.
JJ Redick
Redick offered less clarity on the players who will surround the star duo, without any announcement about the rest of their starters as he did a year ago. “It’s not that important to me,” Redick said when asked about the headlines. “I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about it. We certainly have a number of players, seven or eight starting-caliber players in the NBA. I know this: I said that last year. And that starting lineup started eight games together to start the season, and we started 24 lineups throughout the year.” I’m not going to waste too much time banging my head against the wall about that before I have a practice.[James] is in a great mental moment and I know he will give us the best of himself. … I expect the best version of Luka, and it’s my job as a coach to bring that out daily.
JJ Redick
