Darvin Ham has been fired as Lakers coach, partially as a result of the gamers did not purchase into his changes and educating strategies, partially as a scapegoat to cowl some poor roster building choices in recent times (GM Rob Pelinka cleaned these up in addition to he may, however the injury was by no means utterly undone). The Lakers have been by six coaches within the 13 seasons since Phil Jackson left the staff, who’s next up for one of many premiere however hardest jobs within the league?
Not Tyronn Lue or Jason Kidd. Or, at the very least, it is extremely unlikely, regardless of their names popping up in rumors.
The motive is easy: Both are below contract for yet another 12 months with their respective groups and should not about to be fired, which is something Marc Stein wrote about in his e-newsletter. In truth, each the Clippers and Mavericks are wanting to prolong their coach past this 12 months.
“Like I said, I want to be here. Hopefully, we’re able to solidify that…” Lue stated when requested in regards to the Lakers rumors following the Clippers’ elimination from the playoffs by Kidd’s Mavericks. “I didn’t come in to bounce around, go all over the place. [Clippers owner, management] all been great to me. Just having a great relationship with the owner, with the front office. It’s great. I would love to be here longterm.”
Kidd is anticipated to be provided and signal a contract extension to keep in Dallas with Luka Doncic and a contending staff, Stein reported.
Even if a kind of coaches went to their respective groups and stated they wished to stroll away — which, to be clear, neither has achieved, that is only a hypothetical — the Clippers and Mavericks will nonetheless have the coach below contract and wouldn’t let him stroll out the door to a convention rival. In principle, the Lakers may attempt to commerce for a kind of coaches, however even when the Clippers/Mavericks did not hold up on the decision, the value would be a few first-round picks. In the case of the Lakers, they want these picks extra to retool the expertise round LeBron James and Anthony Davis than land a coach.
What Lue and Kidd have in frequent is ties to LeBron, who is anticipated to choose out of the $51.4 million ultimate 12 months of his contract with Los Angeles. The Lakers desperately need to hold him — and most across the league expect he’ll re-sign in Los Angeles — and a part of that’s bringing in a coach he desires. Knowing that, it isn’t a shock that the names had been at the very least leaked — it is a signal the Lakers are wanting and making an attempt, even when the outcomes are unrealistic.
Other names talked about as potential Lakers coaches embrace former NBA head coaches Mike Budenholzer — who gained a championship with the Bucks — and Kenny Atkinson. There actually will be others.
Just don’t expect a staff to hand their star coach over to the Lakers.