Veteran shooting guard J.J. Redick re-signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a one-year deal worth $12.25 million in July, but the sharpshooter had an opportunity to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers.
On the latest episode of The Lowe Post podcast, Redick says he could have signed with the Lakers and was very close to joining the Pacers.
“I wouldn’t have started, but I felt like I fit what they [Indiana] needed,” Redick said. “I just envisioned playing a two-man game with [Domantas] Sabonis. I almost signed with Indy. It was an hour away, two hours away. I was very close. I had a 5:00 PM deadline. It was 12:30, 1:00 in the afternoon when Philly changed the offer. I had a whole conversation with Nate McMillan too. It was really close.”
In his first season with the Sixers, Redick averaged 17.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 70 games, shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 42.0 percent from three.
LeBron James and the Lakers are probably kicking themselves for not being able to sign J.J. Redick. The 34-year-old is one of the best shooters in the league and would have been a perfect player to pair alongside James.
Redick added he’s happy to be back with the Sixers, who are projected to be a top three team in the Eastern Conference this upcoming season. Philadelphia lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2018 Eastern Conference Semifinals in five games.
