Report: Redick Still Frontrunner for Lakers Coach, and Rich Paul Says Focus on AD, not LeBron

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers head coaching search is going slowly, in part because the apparent frontrunner still has a gig calling games for ESPN. Reports from Shams Charania (and others) continue to put JJ Redick at the front of the line for the Lakers, even while more interviews are set to happen this week, followed by another round of more intensive interviews as June rolls around. Marc Stein reports there is even chatter around the league about who the Lakers might target to be on Redick's staff. (Hint: It includes guys who are theoretically in the running for the head gig, which feels at least potentially a little ambitious.)

Nothing, at the least, has been said/done to dispel the idea that it's Redick's job to lose. Maybe that changes as the interview pool widens. Keep an eye on what leaks -- in multiple directions -- after guys like David Adelman, Micah Nori and Chris Quinn sit down for a rap sesh with Rob Pelinka.

Meanwhile, Rich Paul is on the record saying the Lakers really should be focusing on Anthony Davis in this process, not LeBron James. Which is true - AD is going to be a Laker, almost surely, longer than James. It's also another tea leaf that points to Redick's candidacy, because Team James is going the extra mile to separate themselves from the perception that Redick would be LeBron's hire... which of course is required because people see that, you know, the guy is LeBron's podcast partner.

Finally, a report over the weekend said the Phoenix Suns plan to make a full court press on James if/when he opts out of his Lakers deal. Which he surely will. The notion of him going to Phoenix for a veteran's minimum or taxpayer midlevel (can the Suns even offer that?) or whatever is far fetched. But is it 100% guaranteed he comes back to the Lakers if he ops out?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: JJ Redick is still the clubhouse leader.
SEGMENT 2: Rich Paul reiterates that LeBron isn't pulling the strings.
SEGMENT 3: We're sure LeBron returns if he opts out, right?

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