Lakers Promote Zach Guthrie to Assistant Coach Amid Roster Overhaul
JJ Redick’s coaching staff sees internal shift as the organization seeks to build depth for a competitive Western Conference campaign.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has appointed Zach Guthrie as an assistant coach and head of player development. The promotion follows a successful season with the South Bay Lakers, the team’s NBA G League affiliate, which achieved the league’s best record. Guthrie’s new role is designed to support the development of key roster figures, including Bronny James and Adou Thiero, as the Lakers address depth requirements for the upcoming season.
Guthrie brings extensive NBA assistant coaching experience to the Lakers’ front office. His previous stints include tenures with the Utah Jazz under Quin Snyder from 2016 to 2020, the Dallas Mavericks under Rick Carlisle from 2020 to 2021, and the Washington Wizards from 2021 to 2024. He most recently served as head coach of the South Bay Lakers, where he oversaw the development of players such as Drew Timme, Chris Manon, Kobe Bufkin, and Arthur Kaluma.
In his new capacity, Guthrie will continue to work with James and Thiero, contingent on James remaining on the roster, as well as Cameron Carr and two-way player AK Okereke. The appointment reflects Redick’s strategy to reward internal success while addressing the structural needs of a roster undergoing significant transition. The Lakers have made five major signings following a period of substantial talent loss in free agency, necessitating a robust development pipeline.
Redick has previously emphasised the necessity of roster depth beyond the primary rotation, specifically targeting spots 10 through 15. He noted that injuries and unexpected lineup changes are inevitable during the 92-game season, requiring the team to be prepared for scenarios that deviate from preseason plans. This focus on depth is critical as the Lakers compete in the Western Conference, which Redick described as containing “juggernauts” that demand significant roster resilience.
The promotion of Guthrie leaves the South Bay Lakers head coaching position vacant. The organisation must now decide whether to promote from within or hire externally to fill the vacancy, mirroring the approach taken with Guthrie. This decision comes as Redick seeks to demonstrate his ability to integrate a completely new set of talent and raise the team’s competitive ceiling in the 2025–2026 season.
