In the quest for a new head coach, the Los Angeles Lakers have begun conducting formal interviews, and their first series included notable candidates JJ Redick, Sam Cassell, and James Borrego. However, an intriguing piece of information emerged during this process that sheds new light on Redick's candidacy.

According to a report by Shams Charania and Jovan Buha for The Athletic, the Lakers have expressed infatuation with Redick's potential. League sources have revealed that the franchise views him as a prospective head coach in the vein of Pat Riley—a figure synonymous with success and leadership. The Lakers believe Redick could have both an immediate impact and serve as a long-term leader for the team.

While this assessment may appear flattering, it undeniably places significant expectations on Redick's shoulders. The Lakers seemingly envision him as the second-most successful coach in franchise history, ranking alongside Riley, who won an impressive seven NBA titles both as a coach and an executive. With such a comparison, Redick would be regarded as one of the key influencers in shaping modern basketball.

The parallel to Riley's coaching prowess, however, should be approached with caution. Riley's astounding record boasts over 1,000 wins as an NBA head coach, a feat achieved by only nine other coaches in league history. In no way should Redick be burdened with the weight of becoming one of the greatest coaches ever. Moreover, it is questionable whether it is wise to propagate such lofty comparisons that inevitably reach the public.

The Lakers' head coaching position has always been subject to intense scrutiny and sky-high expectations. These pressures remain even more intensified with the window of opportunity to capitalize on LeBron James' final seasons. Yet, drawing parallels to the second-most important coach in the franchise's history does not necessarily benefit any candidate.

As the Lakers continue their search, the focus should be on assessing each candidate's unique qualifications and potential, rather than prematurely anointing a potential coaching legend. Only time will tell who will ultimately be entrusted with the pivotal task of leading the Lakers into the next chapter of their storied history.