Lakers Rumors: Top head coaching candidates being told to stay away

Recent Lakers rumors are that two front-runners for the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching job have been told to stay away.

With the offseason here for the Los Angeles Lakers there have been plenty of Lakers rumors surrounding their vacancy at head coach. Despite some chaos this season, the Lakers have some strong pieces. They boast a top-5 player of all-time surrounded surrounded by a slew of talented, young prospects. After parting ways with former head coach Luke Walton on April 12 after three seasons (98-148), a highly sought-after position is vacant. Or so you’d think.

Top candidates in Monty Williams and Tyronn Lue are reportedly being told to stay away from the job. Being the Lake Show’s coach may not be such a coveted position after all.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne on the Mason and Ireland show on ESPN 710 said this regarding Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams:

"“I think Monty’s the favorite, but I don’t know how that interview went last night. I haven’t heard from either side and it also is a choice for him. He’s probably in line if Philly opens up. If they lose or if they fall short, he’d be in line to step in there. His kids are settled there, he’s done a lot of moving around, so I could see him stay there. And also, everyone in the league has told him not to take the job.”"

And ESPN’s Jorge Sedano echoed a similar opposition to the job surrounding former Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach Tyronn Lue:

"“So I told you earlier, and I mentioned this yesterday, that someone I know that is a mutual friend with Ty Lue, that is a very close friend to Ty Lue, told me, ‘I told Ty, don’t take the Lakers job. This thing is a mess.’”"

There are many reasons to not recommend and fear this job.

One is that the Lakers’ head coach is in the limelight. A lot. Often for their mistakes, even if there’s no real way to solve them.

Is that wrong? Depends.

Let’s say Ty Lue is put in charge of an ill-conceived roster filled by inexpensive veteran players. He gets only 55 games from LeBron, 52 from Brandon Ingram, and 47 from Lonzo Ball. Oh, and midway through the season, a prospective big man is sold for a last-ditch effort stretch center named Mike Muscala.

How much could we blame Lue for missing the playoffs in the Western Conference? Remember, the cut off was 48 wins.

This isn’t to say firing Luke Walton was the wrong decision. It’s not to say anything about that. It’s to point out that the logic should be to also examine the people behind the personnel decisions. The team should’ve been better built around James and more capable of weathering the storm without him.

Of course, one of those personnel people in Magic Johnson has recently stepped down. His partner Rob Pelinka remains in power as the general manager. According to Shelburne in a separate report, Pelinka’s role could actually expand.

This is troubling for any potential hire, as Walton’s replacement may receive a different directionless roster and be graded without a GM curve by the front office.

Everyone knows complications arise between coaches and LeBron. Just ask David Blatt. Now just imagine how difficult it must be to find someone who James respects and will deal with whatever situation Pelinka could put them in.

The candidate needs to be great at their job. But they also need a solid roster that can stay on the court and a steady front office that won’t throw the team into flux with trades they do or don’t make. The organization needs to have an identity, beyond a Meme team thrown together.

The Los Angeles Lakers head coach search continues to roll on.