The longtime coach of the NBA, Nate McMillan, was of his personal phrases, “semi-retired”, when he obtained a name from JJ Redick final July to affix the coaches of Los Angeles Lakers. In a current interview on “The Sports activities Store With Reese and Kmac”, McMillan defined what led him to affix the Lakers workers and why Redick particularly wished his experience.
McMillan, 63, was the newest NBA head coach for the Atlanta Hawks from 2021 to 2023. McMillan was beforehand coach of the Indiana Pacers from 2016 to 2020, the Portland Trailblazers from 2005 to 2012, and the Seattle Supersonics from 2000-2005. McMillan additionally had coach stays with pioneers, pistons and sonics have unfold all through his profession.
“I used to be semi-retired and essentially again right here in North Carolina by having fun with life and uh actually engaged on my basis and dealing with the younger boys we’ve got in our program,” mentioned McMillan. “I used to be actually dedicated and I’m nonetheless engaged on this mentoring program, however I spoke on the cellphone to my son, and he and JJ Redick had labored collectively in New Orleans. He was assistant coach there.
“We’re on the cellphone and he seems at his texts and mentioned,” Dad, , I simply despatched me a textual content and requested me in case you can be eager about teaching. “So, I mentioned:” Nicely, give it my quantity and we are going to speak. “When the Lakers comes instantly, you are going to hear.”
Behind the scenes of JJ Redick, recruit the assistant coach of Lakers Nate McMillan to his workers from the final offseason.
Nate McMillan reveals that JJ Redick contacted him through her son’s cellphone, and so they talked about work. He additionally reveals that coach Ok and LeBron additionally instructed him pic.twitter.com/qymbakieog
– Lakersvshaters washed (@notlakersgm) August 8, 2025
McMillan was knowledgeable by Redick, who was nonetheless in his recruit season as a head coach of the NBA, that he wished somebody with an enormous expertise as a head coach of the NBA by his aspect on the bench.
“He spoke of the workers he wished to assemble, and he mentioned he needed to assemble,” mentioned McMillan. “He had the impression that he wanted some expertise, grey beards on the bench. He spoke of Scotty Brooks, on board, however he wished to contact me first.”
The Lakers additionally introduced Brooks similtaneously McMillan, ending which is actually a variety of All-Star coaches. Brooks was the NBA 2010 NBA coach throughout his go to with Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, additionally main the staff to the NBA ultimate in 2012.
McMillan certified for the ultimate of the convention as a head coach for the primary time with the Hawks of Atlanta in 2021, though he’s on the prime of three common seasons of fifty+ victories.
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