While the Lakers are finishing up filling out their roster with free agency winding down, there is still one very glaring weakness with the team.
No head coach.
With the search initially beginning prior to the NBA Draft and free agency, the Lakers never moved in on a coach and since, the process has stalled. However, the front office may be shifting their focus to the head coaching spot over the coming weeks.
"The Los Angeles Lakers expect to hire a head coach in the next “week or two,” according to a league source, but do not consider the interview process to be finished with.–Dave McMenamin"
The Lakers contacted six candidates for the job, only to watch all but one take other jobs across the league. Only Byron Scott is left without a job, but the Lakers aren’t necessarily sold on the former Showtime star. From the same article, McMenamin says that even Scott, who is the only candidate to receive two interviews, would likely need yet another interview before possibly being hired.
As is, the pool of candidates is thin. The likes of George Karl or even Jeff Van Gundy are available, but their interest in the position has not been made public, nor is it expected to be anything substantial.
This may be an opportunity for the Lakers to think outside of the box by hiring a heralded assistant coach or a coach out of the college ranks. Whatever the situation may be, the new head coach will certainly have their hands full with the roster and the spotlight.
Let us know below who you think should be the next Lakers head coach.