Sam Harris, BBC Sport journalist

This is by no doubt a rogue choice from one of the biggest sporting organisations in the world.

A veteran of the league who had a 15-year playing career has now got the task of taking a championship-hungry Lakers side back to the top without any top coaching experience under his belt.

The 40-year-old is one of the most respected names in the game, known for his strong shooting ability during his playing days. But now, he’s more known for his analysis on ESPN and podcast with Lakers star James – the NBA legend he now hopes to build around.

Redick, who retired in 2021, is just six months older than James and was drafted to the league three years after him.

Now, he finds himself coaching the Lakers legend ahead of his 22nd and potentially final season.

And it is James’ future that will potentially be job number one for Redick. The four-time NBA champion can become a free agent by declining his $51.4m (£40.6m) player option when the window opens at the end of June.

Tying him down to a new contract would allow Redick time before launching a fully fledged rebuild.