The Lakers have received permission to interview several assistants from around the NBA for their head coaching job, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter links). Wojnarowski reports that Los Angeles has been granted permission to talk to the following candidates:
- Nuggets assistant David Adelman
- Pelicans assistant James Borrego
- Celtics assistant Sam Cassell
- Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori
- Heat assistant Chris Quinn
A report on Tuesday from The Athletic indicated that Borrego, Cassell, and J.J. Redick are the “initial leading targets” in the Lakers’ search for Darvin Ham‘s replacement. Because Redick is working as an analyst at ESPN/ABC, L.A. obviously wouldn’t need to seek permission from a rival team to meet with him.
Kenny Atkinson of the Warriors and Sean Sweeney of the Mavericks are the other assistants who have been linked to the Lakers’ open head coaching position. Their omissions from Wojnarowski’s report don’t necessarily mean they’re no longer on Los Angeles’ radar, since Woj’s list isn’t necessarily exhaustive. But Atkinson and Sweeney don’t appear to be among the frontrunners at this point.
Of course, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue has been mentioned as the candidate who would be atop the Lakers’ wish list if he were available, but there’s still no indication that the Clips will grant their cross-town rivals permission to talk to Lue, who is under contract for one more year and is expected to discuss an extension this offseason.
In his latest Substack story, Marc Stein also checks in on the Lakers’ coaching search, writing that he’s gotten the “distinct vibe” from insiders gathered at the draft combine in Chicago that if there’s an early favorite for the job, it’s Redick. Several people in coaching circles, Stein says, believe it will be Redick’s job to lose in the interview process.
However, Stein has also heard from league sources that Cassell is a “legitimate candidate to watch.” Like Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Cassell is represented by Klutch Sports. Additionally, Stein notes, the veteran assistant has a reputation for connecting with star players.
If Cassell doesn’t get the Lakers’ job or another head coaching position, the belief is that Doc Rivers will aggressively push to bring him to Milwaukee to join his Bucks coaching staff, Stein reports. Cassell previously served as an assistant under Rivers with both the Clippers and 76ers.
With only one other team (the Wizards) currently in the market for a head coach and Redick expected to finish out the playoffs with ESPN/ABC, there’s an expectation that the Lakers’ search may end up extending well into June, Stein adds.
If LeBron is likely to opt-out, and if he might then decide to leave the Lakers, seems like it wouldn’t make sense to hire a first-time coach like Redick (who I imagine is being considered this strongly due to his relationship with LeBron) when you don’t know what kind of a team you have next season. There are other coaches (and other first-time head coaches with assistant or other coaching experience) you can hire instead. I don’t know. Would it make sense to hire Redick in the hope that LeBron will like it enough to stay? Seems shortsighted.
Jeanie and sense don’t go together too well so your guess is as good as mine
Yeah, the Jeannie Factor makes any attempt at understanding what the Lakers might pick a crapshoot.
Yup EON , I imagine the full first half of the Jeannie JJ interview being overt flirting and talks about the new Boba Tea spot they both enjoy around the corner
That mental image is simultaneously hilarious and horrifying xD
It also didn’t make sense to fire Vogel and hire first time head coach Darvin Ham in the first place.
Lakers are a championship team
I love to be a Lakers coach
I only need $40 million contract
Compared to Monty Williams contract $78 million
Oh please bring in JJ as head coach and Harden @ the point LOL.
Hiring JJ would be as Hollywood as it can get ….. that and Kendrick Perkins being named as GM.
Hahaha don’t forget Harden at the point. Absolute circus.
And LeBron pretending to be a top player all time