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Los Angeles Lakers lose Jud Buechler to New York Knicks

By Kenneth Teape

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Summer League head coach Jud Buechler of the Los Angeles Lakers gestures to his players during the team's 2017 Summer League game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 115-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Summer League head coach Jud Buechler of the Los Angeles Lakers gestures to his players during the team's 2017 Summer League game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 115-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers lost a member of their coaching staff as assistant Jud Buechler is joining the New York Knicks.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been hard at work preparing for the offseason. The first task on their to-do list is the 2018 NBA Draft. They have had plenty of players in for workouts, as the Lakers own the No. 25 and No. 47 overall picks in the 2018 NBA Draft.

What fans are really looking forward to is free agency. Los Angeles has been rumored to be a landing spot for some big named free agents such as LeBron James and Paul George. There are even rumors that James could bring Chris Paul along with him to the Lakers.

Paul landing with the Lakers would be poetic justice. After a trade for the Lakers to acquire Paul was called off in 2011, him joining the organization for possibly his last hurrah would be fitting.

Whoever the Lakers end up adding this offseason will have a little different coaching staff to work under. While Luke Walton will still be the head coach, one of his assistants is moving on.

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Lakers assistant coach, Jud Buechler, will be heading cross country, joining the staff of the New York Knicks. The Knicks made the news official on their team website.

"The New York Knicks announced today that Keith Smart, Jud Buechler, Pat Sullivan and Royal Ivey have been hired as assistant coaches. They join the team as part of new head coach David Fizdale’s coaching staff."

Earlier in the offseason, there were rumors that Buechler could be on the move this offseason. Now, those rumors have come to fruition with New York’s official announcement.

David Fizdale also provided a statement about his new coaching staff.

"“We’re thrilled to have this diverse group of high character coaches join the Knicks,” said Fizdale. “They are highly motivated and bring a wealth of basketball experience that will be a great fit in developing and building this team. All four coaches are tireless workers, reliable teammates and share the same intense passion to win.”"

Buechler has been a developmental coach for the Lakers for the past two seasons under Walton. He was also the head coach for the Lakers’ Las Vegas Summer League team that won the championship in 2017.

Buechler, like many people within the Lakers’ organization, played collegiately with the Arizona Wildcats. was a second-round pick of the Seattle SuperSonics in 1990. During his playing career, Buechler won three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls.

Los Angeles has a strong core of young players that have been developing nicely the past two seasons. The Knicks are getting a solid coach for their staff, while the Lakers are left with a hole on their staff.

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Walton is making strides as a head coach, but he is still one of the youngest in the NBA with a young roster as well. Los Angeles could benefit from adding an experienced member to their staff, especially if they are going to be adding multiple veterans to their roster this summer.

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