As the Los Angeles Lakers gear up for training camp next week, the team has secured the future of head coach JJ Redick with a multiyear contract extension while leaving LeBron James’ long-term plans up to the 40-year-old superstar.
James, entering his eighth season with the team, opted into his $52.6 million contract for the 2025-26 season in June, making this a contract year for the four-time NBA champion. At Thursday’s season-opening news conference, Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka emphasized the team’s desire to let James dictate his own path.
“The first thing we want to do with LeBron and his future is give him absolute respect to choose his story with his family, deciding how many years he’ll continue to play,” Pelinka said. “He’s earned that right.”
James, set to embark on a record-breaking 23rd NBA season, has sparked speculation about his future with the Lakers due to the lack of a long-term deal. When asked about the possibility of re-signing James in the summer of 2026, Pelinka was unequivocal. “We’d love for LeBron’s story to end with him retiring as a Laker,” he said, reiterating a long-held hope. Pelinka sidestepped questions about how long James plans to play, deferring to the superstar as the team prepares for media day on Monday.
While James’ future remains uncertain, the Lakers made a definitive move by extending Redick, their second-year head coach who signed a four-year deal in June 2024. Though the terms of the new contract weren’t disclosed, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported it as a multiyear extension.
Pelinka explained the decision as a clear endorsement of Redick’s leadership. “We want to make it clear that he’s the basketball leader for our coaching and on-court performance,” Pelinka said. After guiding the Lakers to a 50-win season and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference in his debut year, Redick has earned the organization’s trust. “We believe he’s a special coach with a unique voice that’s shaping the culture of Lakers excellence,” Pelinka added. “Having long-term planning helps as we build this team moving forward.”
Redick, a 15-year NBA veteran turned first-time head coach, expressed gratitude to Pelinka, acting governor Jeanie Buss, and new owner Mark Walter. “It’s rare for a first-time head coach to get an extension like this,” Redick said Thursday. “I’m incredibly fortunate to be part of an organization that supports me this way.” Redick shared that he’s been in contact with James and Luka Doncic over the summer, expressing optimism about their mindset heading into the season. “[James is] in a great mental space and will give us his absolute best,” Redick said. “I expect the best version of Luka, and it’s my job to bring that out every day.”
Unlike last season, when Redick announced his starting lineup early, he downplayed the importance of naming starters before training camp. “I haven’t spent much time thinking about it,” he said. “We have seven or eight starter-level players. Last year, our announced starting lineup played only eight games together before we used 24 different lineups. I’m not going to stress over it before we even practice.”
With a “highly competitive, strong team” built around James and Doncic, as Pelinka described, the Lakers are poised to chase another title. While Redick’s role is locked in, James holds the pen to his own Lakers story, and the organization is ready to support him for as long as he chooses to play.
