Los Angeles Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Reacts To JJ Redick News

Hall of Famer Magic Johnson reacted to the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly hiring JJ Redick.

June 23, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson speaks to media before introducing newly drafted player Lonzo Ball at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Los Angeles Lakers have hired 15-year NBA veteran JJ Redick to be their next head coach.

The former Duke superstar played for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks.

He retied after the 2020-21 season.

Via Wojnarowski: "ESPN Sources: JJ Redick has agreed on a four-year contract to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Rob Pelinka offered job this morning and Redick’s started working on a staff to surround himself with experience."

ESPN Sources: JJ Redick has agreed on a four-year contract to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Rob Pelinka offered job this morning and Redick’s started working on a staff to surround himself with experience. pic.twitter.com/G66eVFRALp

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2024

Following the news, Lakers legend Magic Johnson sent out two posts on X.

Johnson's first post: "I’m cautiously optimistic that this new hire is a success for both the Lakers and JJ Reddick. I enjoyed watching him as a player - great 3-point shooting, high basketball IQ, passion for the game, and mental and physical toughness. If he can bring how he played professionally to the Lakers - this could work out! But will his transition from star basketball player to head coach end up like Steve Kerr, Jason Kidd, Ty Lue, or Doc Rivers or the former NBA players turned coaches who weren’t successful?"

I’m cautiously optimistic that this new hire is a success for both the Lakers and JJ Reddick. I enjoyed watching him as a player - great 3-point shooting, high basketball IQ, passion for the game, and mental and physical toughness. If he can bring how he played professionally to…

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 20, 2024

Johnson's second post: "Naming a head coach was just the first step. Even bigger than naming JJ Reddick as the Head Coach, Rob Pelinka's next step must be to improve the roster if we are going to compete against all the powerhouse teams in the West like the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Suns, Thunder, Spurs, and the Clippers."

Naming a head coach was just the first step. Even bigger than naming JJ Reddick as the Head Coach, Rob Pelinka's next step must be to improve the roster if we are going to compete against all the powerhouse teams in the West like the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Suns,…

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 20, 2024

The Lakers are coming off a season where they were the seventh seed in the Western Conference with a 47-35 record.

They lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs (in five games).

Following the season, the Lakers fired Darvin Ham after two seasons at the helm.