3 Los Angeles Lakers head coach candidates with existing ties to LA
By Jason Reed
Less than two calendar years after Frank Vogel piloted the team to the 2020 NBA Championship the Los Angeles Lakers are searching for a new head coach. The Lakers fired Vogel after the most disappointing season in franchise history, with some indicating that the decision was made, in part, due to the Russell Westbrook situation not panning out.
There is a long list of head coaches who have been connected to the team thus far and unfortunately, just by reading the tea leaves, it seems as if the Lakers are into the idea of hiring Doc Rivers if he is let go by Philadelphia.
That could explain why the team has not made any decision yet as they are waiting to see Rivers’ fate (as well as another existing head coach).
If there is one thing we do know about how the Lakers operate it is that Jeanie Buss values previous relationships. Rob Pelinka was hired because of his connection to the team as Kobe Bryant’s long-time agent. The likes of Magic Johnson, Kurt Rambis and even Phil Jackson are aiding the coaching search because of their connection to Jeanie and the Lakers.
Thus, the Los Angeles Lakers may end up hiring a head coach with existing ties.
Just under a third of the 11 head coaches that have been connected to the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason have existing ties with the team. Those three coaches very well could have a leg up on the other candidates because of those ties.
On the following pages we will break down who those coaches are, what their ties to the Lakers are, and what kind of coach they could potentially be for the purple and gold.