Seven-time Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid, now the starter for a loaded Team USA squad as it gears up for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, is apparently not a fan of his former teammate JJ Redick’s new job.
After building up an impressive media career as a podcaster and ESPN commentator, the 40-year-old former 15-year journeyman shooting guard leaped at the chance to coach his friend and “Mind The Game” podcast co-host LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers. Redick allegedly agreed to a four-year deal worth approximately $32 million, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
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Read More: Lakers to Hire JJ Redick as Next Head Coach
That rate for Redick’s services would be in line with the contracts of Embiid’s current Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, and Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.
During a fresh and wide-ranging interview with David Marchese of The New York Times, Embiid criticized Redick’s move.
“If I was him, I don’t know if that’s a perfect situation,” the 2023 league MVP said. “Maybe he thinks that’s a perfect situation. But if you’re coming in, especially with a job like the Lakers, it’s kind of a make-or-break situation, because if you succeed, great, you’re going to be coaching for years. But if you don’t succeed, those coaches are usually bound to be fired within a year or two. I love him, I’m happy for him, but that’s a tough job.”
Lakers team president Rob Pelinka has now hired his fourth head coach since assuming a leadership role in the team’s front office seven years ago. Despite Frank Vogel winning Los Angeles a title in 2020, no Lakers head coach has lasted longer than three seasons since Phil Jackson’s final departure from the club in 2011.
During his introductory press conference as the Lakers’ new head coach, Redick appeared to make clear to gathered media that he was looking to add the team’s 18th championship banner during his tenure, per Michael Duarte of NBC Los Angeles.
“Lastly, I just want to say, sitting in this seat, I know what the expectations are for the Lakers,” Redick told reporters. “The Lakers fans are some of the most passionate in the world, and the expectation is a championship. So it’s my job, Rob’s [Pelinka] job, all of us, to deliver a championship-caliber team. That’s what I signed up for.”
Uncommon Knowledge
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