Lakers extend JJ Redick contract one year into tenure
Lakers lock in leadership as Luka Dončić extension and new roster additions shape the 2025-26 season
The Los Angeles Lakers have extended head coach JJ Redick by adding years to his contract just one year into his tenure, the team announced through general manager Rob Pelinka. The Lakers did not disclose how many additional years were added or the total length of the extension, but Pelinka framed the move as formal recognition of Redick's leadership on the court and in the locker room.
Redick, who retired from play in 2021 after a 15-year NBA career, signed a four-year deal to become Lakers head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season. In his first year on the sidelines, he guided the Lakers to a 50-32 record, though the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Minnesota. The extension comes as the Lakers have been active in reshaping the roster this offseason.
In a move that underscored a broader overhaul, the franchise secured a three-year, $165 million max extension for Luka Doncic that includes a player option for the 2028-29 season after a blockbuster trade brought him to Los Angeles. The Lakers also added Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia to the rotation around Doncic and LeBron James, who opted into the final year of his contract for 2025-26.
The team entered the summer focused on addressing specific roster goals, with Pelinka stressing the importance of adding a starting center and two wings capable of shooting and defending on the outside. The additions are designed to complement a core that features Doncic as the primary playmaker and James as a veteran centerpiece, while giving the club more depth and versatility.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, the Lakers will rely on a blend of star power and depth to push for a deeper postseason run. The front office envisions a balanced lineup that can contend in the Western Conference, with Redick providing leadership and stability from the coach’s chair while a new wave of talent slots into the rotation around Doncic and James. The offseason moves, combined with the new contract structure for Redick, signal a deliberate shift toward sustained competitiveness and long-term planning in Los Angeles.
The franchise has not shied from bold decisions this summer, and Pelinka indicated the goal was to create a more complete team around its two marquee players. With Doncic under contract for the foreseeable future and James returning for another season, the Lakers are positioned to pursue a deep playoff push while cultivating a roster capable of adapting to various styles and opponents across the league.