The pressure is officially on in Los Angeles - and it’s not just about chasing wins anymore. With Luka Dončić now wearing purple and gold, the Lakers are in a full-court sprint to build a contender worthy of his generational talent. But as new team governor Mark Walter takes stock of the organization, it’s clear that no seat is safe - not in the front office, not on the bench, and maybe not even on the court.
Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry didn’t mince words when asked about the future of head coach JJ Redick. If general manager Rob Pelinka is shown the door, Horry believes Redick could be right behind him.
“Bye-bye,” Horry said bluntly, when asked what Redick’s future might look like if Pelinka is dismissed. “I think the ownership is going to want to come in and bring their own everything. Unless JJ does something phenomenal and gets to the Western Conference Finals, that’s the only way I see him sticking around.”
That’s a strong statement, but it’s not without merit. Redick was Pelinka’s hand-picked hire - a bold move considering Redick had zero head coaching experience when he replaced Darvin Ham.
What he did have was 15 years of NBA playing experience, a sharp basketball mind, and the endorsement of none other than LeBron James. That was enough for Pelinka to roll the dice, even giving Redick an extension after just one season.
Still, the NBA is a results-driven league, and Redick’s margin for error is shrinking. While he’s guided the Lakers to back-to-back winning seasons and shown real growth in his ability to manage egos and execute game plans, the expectations in L.A. are sky-high - especially with Dončić in town.
And that’s where the conversation gets interesting. Horry raised a point that’s been whispered around the league: is Redick too close to the players? Too friendly?
“I think you have to bring in someone who isn’t trying to be a coach and a friend,” Horry said. “You need to come in and coach and be a mentor, not a friend. I think someone like Luka needs strong love because Luka has a tendency to do his own thing, and you can’t just do your own thing.”
That’s a nuanced take - and one that speaks to the challenge of coaching a superstar like Dončić. He’s an offensive savant, no doubt, but he also plays with a fiery independence that can be both a gift and a challenge for a coaching staff.
Managing that kind of talent takes more than Xs and Os. It takes presence.
Command. Maybe even a little tough love.
Right now, the Lakers sit fifth in the Western Conference with a 33-21 record. That’s solid, but not spectacular - and in this town, “solid” doesn’t cut it.
The next few months could determine everything. If Redick can guide this team to a top-six finish and win a playoff series, he might just buy himself more time.
But if the Lakers stumble? If they bow out early or slide into the Play-In Tournament?
That could open the door for sweeping changes from the top down.
For now, Redick is still calling the shots, and Pelinka is still pulling the strings. But with new ownership watching closely and a franchise player in Dončić expecting greatness, the Lakers are operating with little room for error. The heat in L.A. isn’t just coming from the California sun - it’s coming from the weight of expectations.