Lakers Rumors: Juwan Howard to be head coaching candidate
Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve Miami Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard, who is expected to be a candidate for the Lakers’ head coaching job if Luke Walton is fired.
There have been a number of Los Angeles Lakers rumors recently involving head coach, Luke Walton. While Walton is still the head coach of the Lakers, it sounds like he will be looking for a new job this offseason.
There are reports that Walton will be relieved of his duties of head coaching once the season ends. With only two games remaining in their season, Walton could learn of his fate by midweek.
There have been a number of different candidates mentioned as possible replacements, as the Lakers were aiming high with some of their candidates.
The Lakers were interested in getting Doc Rivers from the Los Angeles Clippers. However, once his name began popping up in rumors, he quickly shut them down. Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle was also mentioned as someone the Lakers were interested in, but admittedly, they weren’t even sure they would get to talk to him.
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Two other candidates have been heavily mentioned as well. Former Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks head coach, Jason Kidd, was one. While Kidd found mild success as head coach, his appetite for more power and control led to him leaving the Nets. The Bucks success since moving on from him, as well, is a cause for concern.
The other person mentioned multiple times is former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach, Tyronn Lue. Lue is a popular name because he was the head coach when LeBron James led the Cavaliers to a championship in 2016.
Now, another person with a history with James has popped up in rumors. According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, Juwan Howard is expected to be a candidate for the Lakers’ head coaching position should Walton be fired.
Stein also notes that Howard should not be considered a front runner for the job, but would be considered.
Miami Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard would indeed be a candidate for the Lakers' head coaching job, I'm told, if it opens as so many around the league have expected for weeks. Yet I'm also told he should not be billed as the frontrunner ... as some bookmakers have this week
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 5, 2019
Howard’s first year as an assistant on the Heat staff was James’ final season in Miami during the 2013-14 season. Prior to joining the coaching staff, Howard played the final three seasons of his career with the Heat, signing with the team during the 2010 offseason, the same one James and Chris Bosh took their talents to South Beach.
In addition to the James connection, Howard also has an expected backer in general manager, Rob Pelinka. Howard and Pelinka were teammates at Michigan during the Fab 5 years and it was reported by Bill Oram of The Athletic that Howard and Pelinka have remained very good friends.
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Walton remains confident that he will remain as head coach of the Lakers, but his seat is as hot as anyone’s in the NBA. There is a good chance that the Lakers will be beginning their head coaching search this upcoming week.