JJ Redick’s name remains in connection to the vacant Lakers head coaching position, but one ESPN analyst believes that hiring the former NBAer may not be the best move for the franchise. 

Redick has drawn intrigue from the Lakers’ front office for the job after the team fired Darvin Ham after just two seasons at the helm following their first-round playoff exit this year. 

Former NBA power forward Udonis Haslem questioned the decision over looking at Redick, considering the ex-guard’s closeness to superstar LeBron James and the questions it could create about whole vision was being presented if Redick were to become head coach. 

Redick and James currently host the “Mind the Game” podcast together.

“If it’s JJ, it’s going to be a cynical locker room,” Haslem said on ESPN’s “NBA Today” on Tuesday. “You’re gonna have guys that are gonna say, ‘Is Coach going to do a podcast after the game with LeBron?’ You’re gonna have a cynical locker room with guys that are gonna side-eye everything that JJ says. ‘Cause they’re gonna wonder is it JJ’s message or LeBron’s message.” 

Redick’s potential hiring does raise a few questions about his media ventures that he has built since he stepped away from the game as a player in 2021 after a 15-year pro career. 

Redick has been an analyst for ESPN and hosts two podcasts — one with James and another called “The Old Man and the Three.”

It’s unclear how those would be impacted if he does get hired for an NBA coaching position. 

But Redick isn’t the only name connected to the Lakers coaching search. 

James Borrego and Sam Cassell have also emerged as candidates for the job, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday. 

This summer will be a big one for the Lakers as they evaluate the direction of the franchise as James mulls over his future in LA. 

He has an opt-out clause in his contract and can become a free agent this summer.