The Los Angeles Lakers made headlines this offseason by hiring JJ Redick as the team’s new head coach.

The Lakers notably drafted LeBron James’ son Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he’ll be spending most of his time this season with the team’s G League affiliate — who reportedly also brought a new face into the organization.

“The Los Angeles Lakers are hiring Zach Guthrie as the coach of the franchise’s G League affiliate in South Bay,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday afternoon. “Guthrie has been an NBA assistant with Washington (Wizards), Dallas (Mavericks) and Utah (Jazz).”

Guthrie started at the absolute bottom and worked his way up to this opportunity. The young coach started his NBA journey as an assistant video coordinator with the San Antonio Spurs in 2011 before receiving his first opportunity to join a coaching staff in 2015 under Quin Snyder on the Jazz. Through numerous job titles along his journey and the chance to learn under experienced coaches, Guthrie finally gets his chance to lead a squad of his own.

The move to hire the former assistant coach comes shortly after the departure of ex-South Bay Lakers coach Dane Johnson. The former coach led South Bay to a 26-24 record last season which ultimately led to his firing. If Guthrie’s tenure in the G-League goes well, he could put himself into consideration for the next head coaching vacancy that opens up in the NBA. 

Guthrie will take on the challenge of coaching Bronny in his first year in the league, which will undoubtedly bring on the spotlight.

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