Lakers Rumors: Team interested by Rick Carlisle as head coach
Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve their head coaching position, as the organization is reportedly interested in Rick Carlisle.
There have been plenty of Los Angeles Lakers rumors when it comes to their head coaching position. While Luke Walton is still employed as head coach right now, it is widely expected that he will be relieved of his duties following this season.
A debate could be had about whether or not Walton deserves to be dismissed. While he has had some shortcomings, such as with his rotations and lineups, the current state of the Lakers is not his fault.
He did not put this roster together, in fact, his opinion on who to retain was reportedly ignored. Walton also can’t be held responsible for the number of injuries the Lakers suffered this season.
Despite that, it sounds like Walton will be shown the door in a few weeks. There have been a few candidates already mentioned, with Jason Kidd being the most consistently named. Tyronn Lue, LeBron James‘ coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, is also expected to receive consideration.
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Whether either of those coaches would actually present an upgrade on the sideline for Los Angeles is debatable. However, it would be no debate that someone such as Rick Carlisle would be a massive upgrade at head coach for the Lakers.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Lakers are interested in bringing in Carlisle to lead the team.
This isn’t the first big-named head coach currently employed by another team in the NBA that has been rumored to interest the Lakers. Los Angeles Clippers head coach, Doc Rivers, was also mentioned but quickly shot down those rumors.
As for Carlisle, Stein notes that the Lakers are unlikely to ever have a chance at landing the current Dallas Mavericks head coach. One sticking point is the extension that Stein reported on, as Carlisle reportedly signed a one-year extension through the 2022-23 season prior to the 2018-19 season beginning.
Given the current state of both franchises, it is fair to question why Carlisle would even want to leave the Mavericks at all.
Dallas has two young, franchise cornerstones in Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. They can be the foundation of the next great era of Mavericks basketball as Dirk Nowitzki moves closer and closer to retirement.
In addition to Doncic and Porzingis, the Mavericks will have a boatload of cap space the next two offseason as long as they continue to take care of their salary cap situation. Right now, Dallas has no one under contract for the 2021-22 season; Doncic has his fourth-year team option and that is it.
Why would a head coach leave that for what the Lakers currently have? Los Angeles will miss the postseason for a sixth consecutive year and there are a lot of questions surrounding the current state of the roster.
Next. 3 Head Coaching Candidates If Luke Walton Is Fired. dark
The Lakers may be the more marquee name, but the Mavericks, as things are currently situated, look like the better spot for a head coach. There is only so much appeal a 34 going on 35-year old LeBron James has.