In a stunning twist that left both sports and social media in a frenzy, **Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick** shocked fans today with an unexpected announcement involving **forward Darius Bazley**—and somehow, confusion even spilled over into the *NFL* community.
During a press conference earlier this afternoon at the Lakers’ training facility in El Segundo, Coach Redick confirmed that **Darius Bazley**, who had been sidelined for months with a lingering ankle injury, is not only **returning to active play this week**—but will also be stepping into a **new, expanded leadership role** on the team.
> “Baz is back,” Redick said with a confident smile. “Not just back on the floor—but back with purpose. He’ll be stepping into a key role for us going forward. Think of him as our new defensive anchor and secondary playmaker.”
While Lakers *NBA* fans celebrated the long-awaited return of Bazley, **NFL fans—particularly those of the Los Angeles Rams—were hilariously confused** by the sudden explosion of “Lakers,” “NFL,” and “JJ Redick” trending together on X (formerly Twitter). Many mistakenly believed the Lakers had somehow joined the NFL, or that Bazley was switching sports.
> “Wait… the Lakers are in the NFL now?” one user wrote, while another asked, “JJ Redick coaching football? What timeline is this?”
Bazley, 25, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his NBA career, known for his length, versatility, and lockdown defense. His return could be a **turning point** for the Lakers, who have struggled with consistency on the defensive end during the early weeks of the 2025-26 NBA season.
### A New Era Under Redick?
Since taking over as head coach earlier this year, JJ Redick has emphasized **positionless basketball**, discipline, and three-point efficiency. The move to promote Bazley into a more central role signals a potential shift in Redick’s rotation strategy—one that leans into defensive grit and switchability.
> “He’s earned this,” Redick continued. “Through rehab, through workouts, through leadership in the locker room—Bazley’s mentality is exactly what we need right now.”
### Fan Reactions Pour In
The internet reacted in classic form—some with excitement, others with sarcasm:
* “Bazley returning? Lakers back to the Finals confirmed,” said one hopeful fan.
* “JJ Redick got NFL fans shook thinking he’s calling plays for the Rams now 😂,” joked another.
### What’s Next?
Bazley is expected to **make his return this Friday** when the Lakers face off against the Phoenix Suns. Whether his new role will translate into wins remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Coach JJ Redick isn’t afraid to make bold moves.
And for any NFL fans still wondering: No, the Lakers aren’t fielding a football team (yet).
