4. Becky Hammon
The current head coach of the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces may be the best available option. Hammon is a Hall of Famer. She was a six-time WNBA All-Star and one of the best to ever do it. After her playing career, Hammon joined the Spurs as an assistant under Gregg Popovich where she spent eight years learning from the Hall of Famer.
She was a finalist for the Blazers head coaching gig in 2021 but was edged by Chauncey Billups. Hammon deserves a shot to lead an NBA if she wants it. She is one of the best coaches in the world right now. Her Aces have lost three playoff games in the last two years combined. Hammon has won 80.0 percent of her games as a WNBA head coach and is showing zero signs of slowing down.
When does she look for a fresh challenge? Hammon has interviewed for multiple NBA head coaching gigs. Last year, she let teams know they would have to pursue her. Hammon is happy dominating with the Aces, but she may be enticed by the right opportunity.
There may be no better one in the NBA than getting to coach the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and instantly jumping in with a franchise eager to contend for championships. The Lakers should certainly make the call, even if Becky Hammon turns them down.