Will this create awkward tension for the Lakers? D’Angelo Russell once trolled and bullied JJ Redick during the playoffs, and now he’ll play under him.
As 2024/2025 season approaches, let’s revisit the funny clash between the Lakers’ new head coach and his player.
Russell’s breakthrough came in the 2018/2019 season when he led the Brooklyn Nets, playing 81 games and finishing second in the Most Improved Player voting.
His success earned him an All-Star spot and the Nets reached sixth in the East. In the first round, they faced Philadelphia, where Redick played.
The Sixers easily won the series, moving on to the second round, only to lose after Kawhi Leonard’s famous Game 7 buzzer-beater. But one episode between Redick and Russell resurfaced after Redick became Lakers’ head coach.
In podcast, both recalled their skirmish. During one game, Redick fouled out while trying to defend Russell, who waved goodbye as he left the court. Redick later admitted that in his mind, one thought kept repeating: “You’re a real idiot.”
Now, Redick is coaching the Lakers, despite never coaching at the NBA level before. Critics point to his connections especially his frequent appearances with LeBron James on podcasts.
Redick signed an million deal, placing him among the top 10 highest-paid NBA coaches. Meanwhile, Russell, after his stint in Brooklyn, returned to the Lakers via Golden State and Minnesota.
He’s expected to be in the starting lineup this season, though he was major trade candidate in the offseason and has no guaranteed contract for 2025/2026.
So far, their relationship seems friendly. In training camp Russell praised Redick’s analytical coaching style and emphasized the need for trust.
Redick in turn complimented Russell’s unique skill set, though he doesn’t expect him to be a defensive star.
The Lakers’ success will hinge on how their “chemistry” develops. Both Redick and Russell have no room for error—Redick is the team’s third coach in five seasons, and Russell has already experienced being traded. That old “moron” comment from the 2019 playoffs could still come back to haunt the Lakers.
