National Basketball Association

Los Angeles Lakers next head coach odds: JJ Redick becomes bigger favorite

Updated May. 29, 2024 1:39 p.m. ET

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It has been several weeks since the dismissal of Darvin Ham and the Los Angeles Lakers still need a head coach.

Although LeBron James had a stellar season and Anthony Davis played a career-high 76 games, the Lakers ended a disappointing year with a first-round exit that cost Ham his job.  

Now, the rumor mills — and sportsbooks — are buzzing, and there's a new betting favorite.

Mike Budenholzer was an early favorite to land the gig, but he has since signed a five-year, $50-plus million contract to become the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns.  

So now that he is off the board, here's a look at the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 29.

JJ Redick: -225 (bet $10 to win $14.44 total) 
James Borrego: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Sam Cassell: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) 
Micah Nori: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Chris Quinn: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Kenny Atkinson: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total) 
David Adelman: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total) 

Going back to May 21, Redick was at -140 to land the gig. His odds have since shortened to -225. 

In fact, of the top seven candidates, Redick is the only one who has seen his odds shorten over the past week. Borrego moved from +425 to +600, Cassell moved from +500 to +700, and Nori and Quinn both moved from +1000 to +1200. 

Atkinson stayed at +1200, and Adelman moved from +1200 to +1500.

What else does Redick not have in common with the other candidates? Experience.  

Borrego was the head coach for the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-2022 and won two rings with Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs, where he was an assistant for 10 seasons. Cassell played in the association for 15 seasons and won three NBA championships, and has been an assistant coach in the league since 2009. He currently works on Joe Mazzulla's staff in Boston. 

Every other candidate in the top eight on the oddsboard has either been a head coach or assistant coach in the league.

Then there is Redick, who was a standout in college and a solid role player in the league for 15 seasons. 

Redick also has a podcast with James entitled "Mind the Game."

Last week, The Athletic reported that James is "not involved" in the Lakers' coaching hire. That same report said that the Lakers believe Redick is a "Pat Riley-like coaching prospect who could both help the franchise in the short term and lead it for years."

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