The Los Angeles Lakers are promoting South Bay coach Zach Guthrie to a Lakers assistant coach and head of player development on JJ Redick’s staff.
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to make another addition to JJ Redick’s coaching staff ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are promoting South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie to an assistant coaching role. He will also serve as the organization’s head of player development.
Guthrie earned the promotion after guiding the Lakers’ G League affiliate to a league-best 26-10 regular-season record and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference last season. South Bay also reached the Western Conference Finals.
The team produced a franchise-record 12-game winning streak during the campaign, while Guthrie was named the NBA G League Coach of the Month for March after leading South Bay to a 10-2 record.
Guthrie brings extensive NBA experience
Guthrie was appointed South Bay’s head coach in September 2024 after spending several years on NBA coaching staffs.
He began his basketball career with the Austin Toros before working for the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant video coordinator. Guthrie later held an advanced scouting position with the Orlando Magic.
He joined Quin Snyder’s Utah Jazz staff in 2016 and later worked as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards before moving to the Lakers’ G League organization.
His promotion strengthens the connection between the Lakers and their developmental program while adding an experienced coach to Redick’s staff.
Lakers overhaul roster around Luka Doncic
Credit AP – Scanpix
Guthrie’s promotion comes amid a major offseason transformation in Los Angeles, with the Lakers reshaping the roster around Luka Doncic following LeBron James’ departure.
The Lakers’ biggest move was acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade. Los Angeles committed to the defensive-minded center on a four-year, $130 million contract, viewing him as a long-term frontcourt partner for Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Los Angeles also retained Reaves on a four-year, $180 million contract that includes a player option for the 2029-30 season, keeping its established backcourt partnership alongside Doncic intact.
The Lakers then made three significant free-agent additions, signing Quentin Grimes to a four-year, $60 million contract, Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million deal, and Collin Sexton to a two-year agreement worth approximately $19 million.
Los Angeles continued adding depth by signing three-time NBA champion Kevon Looney to a one-year, $3.9 million deal. The veteran center is expected to serve as Kessler’s backup while bringing rebounding, screening, and postseason experience.
The Lakers also signed Ziaire Williams to a one-year, $3 million contract after the former lottery pick averaged a career-best 10.2 points with the Brooklyn Nets last season.
Another addition came through the trade market, as Los Angeles sent Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for young guard Jaden Hardy and second-round picks in 2031 and 2032.
With Kessler, Grimes, Mamukelashvili, Sexton, Looney, Williams, and Hardy joining the roster – and Reaves secured on a new long-term deal – the Lakers have surrounded Doncic with more shooting, defensive versatility, youth, and frontcourt depth ahead of the 2026-27 season.
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