The Los Angeles Lakers look like taking the sluggish strategy to find their subsequent head coach since firing Darvin Ham after simply two seasons. Not like the Phoenix Suns, who moved swiftly to rent former Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer after firing Frank Vogel after only one season, L.A. is reaching far and large earlier than deciding on who would be the franchise’s subsequent head coach. The preliminary wave of targets is centered on present assistant coaches, and ex-head coaches, per ESPN, because the Lakers wish to take a look at candidates they’re much less conversant in. CBS Sports activities’ Invoice Reiter additionally confirmed the information as Los Angeles appears to maneuver towards a brand new individual in cost.
Amongst these candidates are present Miami Warmth assistant Chris Quinn and New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, who was beforehand the pinnacle coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-2022. Different present assistants on the listing are Sam Cassell (Boston Celtics), Micah Nori (Minnesota Timberwolves) and David Adelman (Denver Nuggets). The Lakers have obtained permission to interview all of them, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
JJ Redick can be amongst attainable candidates, and the Lakers had been beforehand calling across the league to study extra concerning the former NBA sharpshooter. Redick has no teaching expertise however is effectively revered across the league.
Quinn is a former NBA participant who spent six years within the league with the Warmth, Spurs and Cavaliers. He is been an assistant underneath Erik Spoelstra since 2014, and previous to that was an assistant coach at Northwestern for a season. Coming from the Spoelstra teaching tree absolutely carries some weight for Quinn, and it might doubtless spark some curiosity from LeBron James, who has spoken glowingly about Spoelstra throughout and after his time with the Warmth, the place he received two championships. Whereas Quinn and LeBron by no means crossed paths in Miami, as Quinn joined the Warmth employees the yr after James determined to return to the Cavaliers, there is a faint connection there due to Spoelstra. That faint connection could possibly be essential for Quinn, as LeBron will certainly have a say in whoever the Lakers usher in as their subsequent head coach.
With Borrego, although he by no means led the Hornets to a playoff look, he coached them to their most wins since 2015 after ending the 2021-22 season with a 43-39 report. That crew had the eighth-best offense, and after becoming a member of the Pelicans this season, he helped them end with the Eleventh-best offense a yr after they completed twentieth in that class. With the Lakers’ offense being middle-of-the-pack this season, bringing in an offensive-minded coach could be a good suggestion. Throughout the 2024 season, the Lakers seemed rudderless for lengthy stretches of time throughout video games.
After 15 seasons within the NBA, Cassell instantly pivoted to teaching and has been an assistant with 4 completely different groups since 2009. He’s at present an assistant with the Celtics underneath Joe Mazzulla, and is thought for his potential to attach with gamers.
Nori has stepped into the highlight with the Timberwolves in latest weeks attributable to Chris Finch’s knee harm, which prevents him from teaching in a standard method. Although he by no means performed within the league, Nori has over a decade of expertise as an assitant with 5 completely different organizations.
Adelman is the son of former long-time head coach Rick Adelman. Recognized for his participant growth capabilities, he has likewise been a long-time assistant and has spent the previous seven seasons with the Denver Nuggets. Final season, he received his first NBA championship.
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