J.J. Redick is building a successful post-playing career as a broadcaster, podcaster, and pundit. However, the former shooting guard is reportedly in the running for a major NBA opportunity.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Redick interviewed for the Toronto Raptors’ head-coaching vacancy Wednesday. It would be a bold hire, as the former Duke star has never worked on an NBA or collegiate sideline.
Two of Redick’s ESPN colleagues endorsed him for the prominent position.
“This actually would be a great hire for Toronto! JJ knows is sh%t and will demand the locker room,” Kendrick Perkins said. “Plus he can speak the players’ language!!! Anytime a former player can get in that seat… I’m all here for it.”
This actually would be a great hire for Toronto! JJ knows is sh%t and will demand the locker room… plus he can speak the players language!!! Anytime a former player can get in that seat… I’m all here for it https://t.co/5qla7QtJJX
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 10, 2023
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“Listen any team would be lucky to get @jj_redick,” Richard Jefferson declared. “I will say this, of all the teams I would pick for him, I think the best fit would be one in another country far away from me!”
Listen any team would be lucky to get @jj_redick. I will say this, of all the teams I would pick for him, I think the best fit would be one in another country far away from me! https://t.co/SqgbWzAhgt
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) May 10, 2023
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However, NBA fans are a bit more torn about the news.
“Would be an amazing coach,” one fan speculated.
Would be an amazing coach https://t.co/3f1NSK0RIk
— Iconic. (@Tunnelvisionn_) May 10, 2023
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“So JJ Redick interviewed for a head coaching job without even working on a coaching staff in any capacity with any team,” basketball writer Maliika Walker noted. “Okay then…”
So JJ Redick interviewed for a head coaching job without even working on a coaching staff in any capacity with any team. Okay then… https://t.co/HCHa2SflV1
— Maliika Walker (@maliikawalker) May 10, 2023
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“I would LOVE him as an assistant, but going right to the head coaching job is just stupid,” a fan determined.
I would LOVE him as an assistant but going right to the head coaching job is just stupid https://t.co/De5z910rgg
— 🌊 (@waveafterdark) May 10, 2023
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“I mean he is currently the head coach for his ten year old son’s team, so he technically has some coaching experience under his belt,” another fan joked.
I mean he is currently the head coach for his ten year old sons team so he technically has some coaching experience under his belt. https://t.co/DPLCN4FaEc
— Aiden Isaac (@AidenOlsen) May 10, 2023
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Redick wouldn’t be the first former player to jump the line without prior coaching experience. Steve Kerr succeeded in similar circumstances when shifting from broadcasting to coaching. On the other hand, Steve Nash’s Brooklyn Nets tenure didn’t go nearly as well.
Per Wojnarowski, Toronto has talked to more than a dozen candidates since firing Nick Nurse on April 21.