JJ Redick Rejected 1 NBA Team’s Coaching Offer On 2 Separate Occasions
JJ Redick Rejected 1 NBA Team's Coaching Offer On 2 Separate Occasions
Joe Mazzulla, head coach of the Boston Celtics, made two separate attempts to bring JJ Redick onto his coaching staff before Redick eventually became the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. These recruitment efforts began in September 2022, shortly after Mazzulla was named interim head coach of the Celtics following Ime Udoka’s suspension.
Despite Mazzulla’s compelling pitch, Redick declined the initial offer, preferring to continue developing his media career, which included his popular “Old Man & The Three” podcast and his role as an NBA analyst for ESPN. Redick had coaching aspirations but wasn’t ready to make the transition at that time.
The second recruitment attempt came in March 2023 when Mazzulla needed to fill a significant void after his top assistant, Damon Stoudamire, departed to become the head coach at Georgia Tech. Once again, Redick declined the opportunity to join the Celtics’ staff.
“We had a couple talks about it,” Mazzulla has acknowledged regarding his recruitment efforts. He recognized Redick’s analytical mind and ability to think on his feet as valuable coaching qualities.
Despite these professional rejections, the two maintained a strong friendship. Their relationship actually strengthened over time, with Redick appearing on Mazzulla’s podcast in October 2023. This mutual respect and professional admiration formed the foundation of their ongoing connection.
When the Lakers approached Redick about their head coaching position, he sought guidance from Mazzulla, among other NBA coaches. “He was really helpful,” Redick has said about Mazzulla’s assistance during his interview preparation process.
Both coaches have faced similar skepticism upon their hirings. Mazzulla, who had limited experience as a lead coach, silenced critics by guiding the Celtics to the 2024 NBA championship. The team continues to excel under his leadership with a 45-18 record and championship aspirations for a second consecutive season.
Redick has similarly proven doubters wrong since taking the Lakers job. Under his guidance, the team has assembled an impressive eight-game winning streak and won 18 of 21 games in recent weeks. This remarkable turnaround has highlighted Redick’s coaching acumen and his ability to maximize the talents of stars like LeBron James.
Their coaching matchups have become anticipated events. Redick’s Lakers defeated Mazzulla’s Celtics on January 23, 2025, adding a competitive dimension to their friendship. Before their latest matchup, Redick expressed profound respect for his counterpart, calling Mazzulla “one of the best” coaches in the league.
The parallel trajectories of these young coaches demonstrate the NBA’s evolving coaching landscape. Both bring analytical approaches, strong communication skills, and innovative strategies to their respective teams.
Their success raises interesting questions about traditional coaching pathways in the NBA. Neither followed the conventional assistant-to-head-coach progression that has long dominated the league, yet both have found ways to connect with players and implement effective systems.
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
