JJ Redick Throws a Subtle Jab at Chris Paul Ahead of Lakers-Clippers Showdown
The Battle of LA always brings a little extra juice, but Lakers head coach JJ Redick added a dash of spice before Saturday’s matchup at the Intuit Dome - and he did it with just one word: leeway.
While discussing the defensive responsibilities of Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt, Redick made a comment that, on the surface, sounded like standard coach-speak. But for those who’ve followed the league closely, especially the recent saga involving Chris Paul and the Clippers, the subtext was hard to miss.
“I’ve talked with (Smart) and Vando about this,” Redick said. “You got to give the better defensive players some level of leeway. Probably shouldn’t use that word here…”
That last line? That was the tell.
Redick, a former teammate of Paul’s during their Lob City days, knew exactly what he was doing. The word leeway has become something of a trigger in the Paul-Clippers storyline - a flashpoint in a behind-the-scenes rift that ultimately helped push Paul out of Los Angeles (again).
Here’s the backstory: During a game between the Clippers and Mavericks, Paul reportedly suggested that Kawhi Leonard switch defensive assignments after struggling to contain Klay Thompson’s off-ball movement. Leonard, still working his way back from injury, agreed to the switch.
But the next day, Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy - who oversees the team’s defense - told Paul he didn’t have the “leeway” to make those kinds of calls in LA. That didn’t sit well with the veteran guard.
Paul, known for his basketball IQ and leadership, took the comment personally. He even responded by posting a screenshot of the word’s dictionary definition on Instagram - a not-so-subtle clapback that signaled deeper tensions.
That moment, while small on the surface, became emblematic of a larger disconnect between Paul and the Clippers' coaching staff. Over time, it contributed to the unraveling of what was supposed to be a homecoming for the 12-time All-Star.
Paul had hoped to finish his career with the Clippers, but that chapter is effectively closed. The team is now actively exploring trade or buyout options, signaling a swift and unceremonious end to his latest stint in Los Angeles.
So when Redick, now on the other side of the hallway with the Lakers, dropped that “leeway” line, it wasn’t just a throwaway comment. It was a knowing wink to those who’ve been following the drama - a playful jab wrapped in coach-speak.
Redick has always had a sharp wit and a strong understanding of locker room dynamics. As a former player-turned-coach, he knows how to toe the line between insight and provocation. And in this case, he did both - while also making a broader point about trust on defense.
For the Lakers, that trust is being placed in Smart and Vanderbilt, two gritty defenders who thrive on versatility and physicality. Redick’s message was clear: elite defenders need the freedom to make reads and take risks - the kind of autonomy that can make or break a defensive scheme.
But in LA, even the word leeway carries weight. And Redick, knowingly or not, just added a little more fuel to the fire in this always-heated crosstown rivalry.