In a move that caught much of the NBA world by surprise, the Los Angeles Lakers have officially extended the contract of head coach JJ Redick after just one season at the helm, signaling a new era of confidence and long-term planning for the storied franchise. Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka made the announcement on September 25, 2025, just days before the team’s media day and the start of training camp. Though the terms of Redick’s new deal remain undisclosed, the extension comes on the heels of a rookie coaching campaign that saw Redick guide the Lakers to a 50-32 regular season record and a No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, despite a disappointing five-game first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Redick’s rapid ascent to the Lakers’ top job was unconventional, to say the least. After a 15-year NBA playing career and a stint as an ESPN analyst, Redick was hired in June 2024 on a four-year, $32 million contract, following UConn’s Dan Hurley declining the position. His debut season was marked by significant roster upheaval, most notably the blockbuster midseason trade that sent Anthony Davis to another team and brought superstar guard Luka Dončić to Los Angeles. Dončić, who arrived nursing a calf strain and facing questions about his conditioning, has since answered his critics by dropping 31 pounds over the summer, reportedly reaching his best shape since entering the league.
Pelinka, speaking at the season-opening news conference, was effusive in his praise for Redick. “He’s the basketball leader in terms of our coaching and on-court performance,” Pelinka declared. “Getting an extension done with Luka [Dončić], in addition to having LeBron [James] choose another year with the Lakers as opposed to entering free agency, are all positive, productive things for us as a basketball team. Recently extending JJ’s contract just underscores that leadership.”
Redick, 41, was quick to acknowledge the rare show of trust from the Lakers’ front office. “Rob and I, we have a lot of the same philosophies on life, and one of the words we always talk about is gratitude,” Redick said. “And so I think it starts with just a high level of gratitude to the Lakers, to Mark [Walter], Jeanie [Buss] and Rob for having that confidence in me. It’s not lost on me the sort of rarity of a first-time head coach getting an extension, like I recognize how fortunate I am to be with an organization that supports me that way.”
The Lakers’ regular season success in 2024-25, however, was tempered by postseason questions. Despite the 50-win campaign and a top-three finish in the West, the team’s abrupt playoff exit left fans and analysts alike wondering whether the roster was truly built for a deep run. Redick himself has not shied away from self-reflection. “You do a lot of self-assessment, and that was really what I spent a lot of the first probably 4-6 weeks on, sort of self-assessment,” he explained. “But I would say the two words that immediately when you ask that question popped in my mind are philosophy and methodology: the philosophy of how we want to play; the methodology as a coach of how I want to teach that. And so that’s where I spent a lot of time this summer.”
To sharpen his approach, Redick met with a who’s who of coaching and athletic legends during the offseason, including Rams coach Sean McVay, retired NFL superstar Tom Brady, and several NBA coaches. The conversations, he said, revolved around the “daily commitment” required for championship-level success. “Our guys this summer have been awesome. I know LeBron [James] is always committed to those things. Luka [Dončić] has been committed. That’s what it is. It’s a daily commitment. [Nick] Saban has this thing, it’s, ‘don’t tell me, show me.’ So that’s what we’re asking of our players.”
The Lakers’ front office was equally active in reshaping the roster for the coming campaign. The offseason saw the arrival of former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton as the starting center, defensive ace Marcus Smart to bolster the backcourt, and young 3-and-D wing Jake LaRavia to add depth after Dorian Finney-Smith’s departure in free agency. Impressively, these additions cost the Lakers a combined $19 million and were accomplished without sacrificing their coveted 2031 or 2032 first-round draft picks. “We were methodical in what we wanted to accomplish,” Pelinka said, underlining the organization’s commitment to both immediate competitiveness and future flexibility.
At the heart of the Lakers’ ambitions for the 2025-26 season lies the superstar duo of LeBron James and Luka Dončić. James, now 40, is entering his eighth season in purple and gold and picked up his $52.6 million player option for the coming year, making this potentially his last dance in Los Angeles. Pelinka made clear that the Lakers hope to remain in the LeBron business as long as the four-time champion desires. “The first thing we want to do in terms of LeBron and his future is just give him absolute respect to choose his story with his family in terms of how many years he’s going to continue to play,” Pelinka said. “He’s earned that right.”
For his part, Redick expressed confidence in both his superstars. “[James is] in a great spot mentally and know he’s going to give us his absolute best,” Redick said. “... I expect the best version of Luka, and it’s my job as a coach to bring that out on a daily basis.” Yet, Redick was less forthcoming about the supporting cast, declining to name his starters ahead of camp. “It’s not that important to me,” he said. “We certainly have a number of players -- seven or eight starter-level players in the NBA. I do know this: I did say that last year. And that starting lineup started eight games together to start the season, and we started 24 lineups throughout the year. Not going to spend too much time banging my head against the wall on that before we have a practice.”
As the Lakers prepare to open training camp, the mood around the franchise is one of cautious optimism mixed with the ever-present pressure that comes with championship expectations. Redick summed up the mindset succinctly: “The Lakers always have pressure to win,” he said. “Coming into this building, seeing the banners is a constant reminder of what excellence is. So that doesn’t change for me—it’s a year-to-year mindset.”
With Redick’s future secured and the roster revamped, the Lakers are poised to chase another championship in the 2025-26 season. The road ahead will be challenging, but for now, the franchise has doubled down on its belief in Redick’s leadership and vision—setting the stage for what could be a pivotal year in Los Angeles basketball.
