The Los Angeles Lakers have begun the formal interview process to find their next head coach. Los Angeles has meet with a few candidates, and has meetings set up with several others. However, JJ Redick is starting to stand out among the pool of candidates.

The Lakers are reportedly "infatuated" with the idea of Redick as their next head coach. They see Redick as a Pat Riley-like coaching prospect who could lead the franchise for years.

Los Angeles has also interviewed James Borrego and Sam Cassell. They also plan to interview David Adelman, Micah Nori and Chris Quinn.

LeBron James is reportedly not involved in the process of identifying the team's next head coach. Los Angeles views the next head coach as more of a hire for a team led by Anthony Davis, than a team led by James.

LeBron James is keeping his options open ahead of free agency. James remains undecided on whether he'll pick up his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season, or if he'll enter unrestricted free agency.

The Lakers star is still considering the path he wants to take moving forward. James is expected to play up to two more seasons.

In recent weeks, James has distanced himself from the idea that he wants to play on the same team as son Bronny, who is an Early Entry Candidate for the 2024 NBA Draft. That hasn't stopped speculation that teams may draft Bronny James as a way to entice his father to sign with them as a free agent this summer.

While the Phoenix Suns had a disappointing season and need to upgrade their roster around Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the franchise doesn't want to trade its stars and there are no trade requests coming.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith fueled rumors of Booker potentially wanting to play for the New York Knicks, but there were to subsequent reports by any other media members to back up the assertion. The Suns went on to hire Mike Budenholzer to replace Frank Vogel, and Phoenix is set to run it back.

"I know Stephen A. Smith mentioned Devin Booker," said Zach Lowe on his podcast. "I continue to hear, regardless of what Mat Ishbia and James Jones say publicly about 'We're not trading anybody,' I continue to hear that there is no Devin Booker, like, trade request coming. Not in the foreseeable future anyway."

Booker cannot become a free agent until 2028.

The Brooklyn Nets added Connor Griffin and Deividas Dulkys to Jordi Fernandez's coaching staff.

Griffin comes from the Nuggets, with Dulkys last with the Kings.

Adam Caporn, Ryan Forehan-Kelly and Corey Vinson will be retained from last season's staff.

The NBA has announced its 23-24 All-Rookie Teams headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren as unanimous selections. Brandon Miller received 97 out of 99 votes.

First Team
• Victor Wembanyama
• Chet Holmgren
• Brandon Miller
• Jaime Jaques Jr.
• Brandin Podziemski

Second Team
• Keyonte George
• GG Jackson II
• Dereck Lively II
• Amen Thompson
• Cason Wallace

The future of Julius Randle with the New York Knicks is uncertain as he could become a free agent in 2025 if he declines his player option and is eligible for an extension this offseason. If the Knicks trade for a big star this offseason, Randle could be included as an outgoing player.

"He's got a player option in 2025," said Shams Charania. "He's eligible for a four-year, $181.5 million contract extension this summer. Teams are monitoring this situation for sure, because how they handle that extension situation, if that is a conversation, what transpires. I think that will be interesting. If you think about movable assets, salaries, obviously Julius Randle has got a number if you make a big, big trade."

The Knicks lost Randle in January to a season-ending shoulder injury, but were still one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Tom Thibodeau has been a lot place in his NBA coaching career. He knows when he wants to stay somewhere. Now, Thibodeau hopes to stay with the New York Knicks for a while longer.

“That’s something that my agent will take care of,” Thibodeau said about extending his contract. “The Knicks have been great to me. So, this is where I want to be.”

Thibodeau has one year remaining on the five-year deal he signed with New York ahead of the 2020-21 season. Sources expect that the Knicks will do what they can to extend Thibodeau this summer, likely on a deal in the range of $10 million per season.

Despite criticism that he plays his players too many minutes, several Knicks defended Thibodeau. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and others all expressed hope that New York would take care of their coach with a contract extension.

The Los Angeles Lakers are considering hiring J.J. Redick as head coach, but LeBron James is reportedly not driving that candidacy. 

"I'm told LeBron James is not involved in the Lakers' head coaching search," said Shams Charania. "I reported on it last week: J.J. Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell are the lead initial targets.

"LeBron James James has made it clear that this is the organization's decision. He's had no conversions with the Lakers about JJ Redick, his podcast partner. He has had no conversations with J.J. about this position as well.

"I did speak to Rich Paul this morning. He said 'LeBron James and J.J. Redick do a podcast together. That does not mean that he wants J.J. Redick as his head coach.'

"But he is leaving it up to the organization. We'll see what LeBron James decides for his future. I'm told he's expected to play up to two more NBA season.

"The bottom line with LeBron James is this: if he was making the decisions for the Lakers, Ty Lue would have been the head coach in 2019. Kyrie Irving would be his point guard if he was running the team."

Charania went on to express the thinking that this coaching hire has as much to do with Anthony Davis as it does with James. 

James could become a free agent this offseason, but he is widely expected to remain with the Lakers. 

The Denver Nuggets were a popular pick to repeat as champion, but they were ultimately eliminated in the second round by a Minnesota Timberwolves team with the requisite size and defense to slow down three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

While Anthony Edwards Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid were in place before the arrival of Tim Connelly, the former Nuggets' executive traded for both Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley with the roster being particularly well suited to play against Denver.

"I mean, I think they're built to beat us," Jokic said. "Just look at their roster. They have basically two All-Stars, two probably first-team defensive players. Mike Conley is the most underrated player in the NBA, probably.

"From the bench, they have a Sixth Man of the Year. ... [They are] one team that they can do literally everything. They can be big, small."

The New York Knicks are entering the 2024 offseason as the opportune time to trade for a big star, sources tell Fred Katz of The Athletic.

The Knicks have been patient in their efforts in trading for a star, such as the 2022 offseason when they couldn't agree on a deal with the Utah Jazz for Donovan Mitchell.

New York's roster will be more expensive a year from now as Julius Randle can become a free agent in 2025 and will probably receive a raise, as will Jalen Brunson. Brunson can sign an extension now, or wait until 2025 free agency to sign for a max.

The Knicks own all of their future first round picks, as well as the Dallas Mavericks' first round pick this June, and several protected picks from other teams.