As we detailed earlier this week, Tyronn Lue‘s meeting with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka about the team’s head coaching vacancy is taking place today, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirms (via Twitter).
Lue has experience coaching LeBron James in Cleveland, which could be a point in his favor as Pelinka and the Lakers weigh their options for Luke Walton‘s replacement. As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst writes, coaching James isn’t without its challenges, but if a coach comes in with a game plan, holds LeBron accountable, and is prepared for push-back, he can succeed.
Lue and Monty Williams are among the candidates apparently in the running for the Lakers’ job, though both men have reportedly been warned to proceed with caution. As Colton Jones of Amico Hoops relays, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said during an appearance on 710 ESPN that “everyone in the league” has told Williams not to take the job, while Jorge Sedano of ESPN said one of Lue’s close friends has given the former Cavs coach a similar warning.
It remains to be seen which direction the Lakers are leaning, or whether they’ll expand their search beyond Lue, Williams, and Juwan Howard. However, Shelburne also notes that it wouldn’t be a total surprise if Williams prefers to remain with the Sixers, where he’s an assistant on Brett Brown‘s staff. His family is settled there, and he could be next in line if Philadelphia were to move on from Brown, says Shelburne (via Jones).
Here’s more on the NBA’s two Los Angeles teams:
- According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, there’s no indication that the Lakers plan to reach out to Clippers consultant Jerry West about the possibility of returning to the franchise following Magic Johnson‘s resignation from his president of basketball operations role. For his part, West said he’s preparing for an eventful offseason with the Clippers, but made no guarantees about his role next season and beyond. “Well, as far as I can tell, I really don’t have a future, OK? My future is now,” West told Amick. “I don’t really worry about that. I worry about getting through this season, and really concentrating – all of us, concentrating – on free agency.”
- Although they fell back to earth last night, the fact that the Clippers made the postseason and are capable of performances like their Game 2 win over Golden State bodes well for the pitch they can make to free agents this summer, writes Shaun Powell of NBA.com. Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times conveys a similar sentiment, writing that the club’s future is bright regardless of what happens in the playoffs.
- In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Bobby Marks takes a deep dive into the Lakers’ offseason, exploring the head coaching search, the possibility of revisiting Anthony Davis trade talks, the club’s free agency options, and more.
I think the fact that there are no high profile coaches interested or being considered, along with the ones currently interviewing for the job being warned not to take it is a bad look for the Lakers. If the team is not of interest to coaches and executives, I would suspect potential FA’s will feel the same way.
It’s surprising to me how far the Lakers have fallen in the past 5-6 years. It also seems like there is no easy view to end of the tunnel. It looks like LBJ’s time there is ultimately going to be looked at as a failure, and he’s going to be one of the most despised Lakers to fans for the lack of success.
I don’t think I’ve EVER seen a notation in a story where industry professionals are warning people to NOT take a coaching job in the NBA! That’s pretty sad…
What high profile head coaches are out there? Expecting a sitting coach for another team to interview for the Lakers is ridiculous.
If Brett Brown loses to the Nets, everyone’s job will be easier. Brown to the Lakers, Williams gets promoted in Philly. But the Nets are not getting along with the refs in that series.
I could see that happening even if Philly makes it past the Nets but loses in 5 to Toronto. Brown would be on the hottest of seats and may see greener pastures in LA, although both teams PG’s can’t shoot. Monty ain’t going to LA so it’s either Lue or a coach that’s still in the playoffs.
let meBron coach himself to oblivion!
The Lakers can’t be too fussy about a coach as there aren’t many that would want the NBA’s biggest cancer on their team