Lakers Make History With Female Head Coach

The Los Angeles Lakers made a significant trade during the 2024-25 season to acquire Luka Doncic and pair him with LeBron James, which was the biggest news of that season.

Now, the Lakers are making history again through their coaching staff. Head coach JJ Redick enters his second year with goals for the 2025-26 season after a disappointing previous run. Assistant coach Lindsey Harding is playing an extra important role this summer.

Lindsey Harding is making history as only the second female ever to serve as head coach at the NBA Summer League, following Becky Hammon. Harding, currently an assistant for the Lakers, previously helped lead the G League's Stockton Kings to a No. 1 seed in the 2023-24 Western Conference Finals. She also made history in 2024 by becoming the first woman hired as an assistant coach by the Lakers and is the first woman in G League history to win Coach of the Year.

Social media reactions to the news highlighted support for Harding, with comments praising her playing career, expressing hope she becomes the first female NBA head coach someday, and emphasizing the importance of representation.

When the Lakers hired Harding, head coach JJ Redick discussed his holistic vision for player development. He emphasized that it extends beyond basketball mechanics (ball handling, shooting, passing) to include tactical understanding, film study, analytics, nutrition, physical conditioning, and crucially, mental development. He plans to hire a director of player development who aligns with this vision.

The article concludes by stating Harding is contributing to developing the Lakers into a winning franchise.