The Los Angeles Lakers keep building up during this offseason as the NBA 2K25 Summer League is ongoing. After firing Darvin Ham, the Lakers franchise hired JJ Redrick.
Now, the franchise has added another piece to help assist JJ Redick’s coaching career. A woman with an outstanding career as a basketball player and coach will join the assistant coaching group for the team. What does this mean for the Los Angeles Lakers?
Los Angeles Lakers Hire Lindsey Harding
As first reported by ESPN’s Adrain Wojnarowski said:
Lindsey Harding — the G League coach of the year — has agreed on a deal to become an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers. Harding leaves the Kings to rejoin JJ Redick, whom she spent time with on the Sixers staff and as a Duke All-American.
This is a great addition to the coaching staff team because she could provide her solid basketball experience as a player and a coach to help up-and-coming youngsters. Initially, the Lakers added Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks, who possess good career records, to the coaching staff. Now, bringing Lindsey Harding into the mix will add more depth to the assisting team.
Harding’s Outlook with the Lakers
Lindsey Harding coached at the Stockton Kings a G League team, and was the assistant coach at Sacramento Kings for the season (2019-2023). As a coach at the Stockton Kings, she got the 2024 NBA G League Coach of the Year award, making her the first female to achieve that feat. She led the G League Kings in the 2023-24 season to finish 25-10 which is the best the franchise has ever done. With her G League experience, she could help young players grow and fit well into the NBA.
Aside from being a coach, she played in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, and Phoenix Mercury. Also, she was a scout and player development coach at the Philadelphia 76ers. This will be good for Bronny James who’s been struggling to convert in terms of performance during this year’s Summer League exhibition.
Los Angeles Lakers Offseason
The Lakers offseason hired JJ Redick in June and built around him, coaches with more experience. Also, the Lakers franchise could be taking a long-term approach to build a solid team and at the same time maintain their relevance in the league.
Despite LeBron James reducing his salary to accommodate more elite players, the franchise couldn’t lure All-Star players to the club. Thus, most of their signings this 2024 offseason were within the club.
Still, there could be light at the end of the tunnel for the 17-time NBA Champions as they signed Lindsey Harding, who could help build a strong bond between players and coach.
Harding and Reddick played on the same college basketball team: Duke Blue Devils. Also, they met each other while she was a player development coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. Also, another coach that could join the Lakers is Bob Beyer who is the Charlotte Hornets assistant coach. According to the New York Times:
[Bob Beyer’s] been in attendance for multiple Lakers summer league games and has sat alongside the coaching staff, including Redick, Nate McMillan, and Scott Brooks.
Final Thoughts: Can This Team Win the Title?
The Los Angeles Lakers should be in the team-building stage as they aren’t solid enough to be a championship contender in the 2024-25 season. Also, this move emphasizes the Lakers’ short-term goal which is to win a championship while LeBron James is still in the club. Finally, JJ Redick could strengthen his playbook strategy with these additions to his coaching staff.
Adding more coaches who have experience will be very helpful. This is Redick’s firt time coaching in the big leagues so he may not know all of the right paths to take. The team will most likely continue to surround him with great minds in hopes to bolster his coaching ability.
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