Jeanie Buss has entrusted the basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers to the front office, led by president Rob Pelinka. Buss primarily manages the business aspects, granting Pelinka the autonomy to make strategic decisions aimed at positioning the team as a championship contender. The acquisition of Luka Doncic was an obvious move, given his significant impact and the reasonable cost. However, Pelinka has also demonstrated skill in other crucial decisions.

One notable decision is the hiring of JJ Redick as head coach. Redick led the Lakers to a 50-win season and secured the third seed in the 2024-25 season. Although the Lakers faced a quick first-round exit in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, there remains strong confidence in Redick's future coaching abilities. Buss initially had reservations about hiring a coach with no prior head coaching experience. She acknowledged the risk, stating, "I was worried about hiring a rookie coach. This team is so important to this community, and to bring in a rookie coach that had no experience before, that was a big leap. But I knew that [Redick and Pelinka] would work well together, and I love watching the progress that they’re making."

Buss expressed her trust in Pelinka's decision to hire Redick, a move that appears to be paying off as Redick quickly gained the support of the locker room. Key players like LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Doncic have all commended Redick for his performance, fueling optimism for the 2025-26 season. The Lakers have a history of taking risks, and Redick represents the latest gamble in the franchise's storied past. While the initial results are promising, the ultimate goal is to secure a championship, and it remains to be seen whether Redick can deliver one to Los Angeles.

JJ Redick has acknowledged the incredible support he received from Jeanie Buss throughout the 2024-25 season. Despite being a first-time head coach, Redick led the Lakers with determination, ensuring they played hard each night. He emphasized that his success was not solitary, expressing gratitude to Buss for her unwavering support.