The Lakers‘ gradual pace in searching for a new head coach may be a tactic to see if two prominent names become available. In his latest article for Substack, Marc Stein cites sources who say the team is waiting to find out if Sixers coach Doc Rivers or Jazz coach Quin Snyder will reach the open market.
There has been speculation that Philadelphia might part with Rivers if the team can’t get past Miami in its second-round series. Rivers has a checkered playoff history and recently came under fire for leaving Joel Embiid in the close-out game against Toronto with a 29-point lead. The star center was hit with an inadvertent elbow, fracturing his orbital bone and placing him in the concussion protocol, which forced him to miss the first two games against the Heat.
Rivers still has three seasons and $24MM remaining on the five-year deal he was given when he was hired in 2020, but some observers believe the Sixers would consider a change in the wake of a playoff exit. Rivers has a 100-54 regular season record in his two years in Philadelphia, but his team was upset in the second round of last year’s playoffs and he wasn’t hired by current president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.
Snyder has one year left on his contract with the Jazz. Utah is expected to be ready for changes after a first-round elimination, though if a coaching change is among them, it may be instigated by Snyder rather than by the team. He has spent eight seasons with the Jazz, compiling a 372-264 record. There have also been rumors that the Hornets would also consider Snyder in their coaching search if he becomes available.
The Lakers have been without a head coach since dismissing Frank Vogel on April 11. Former Warriors coach Mark Jackson, former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, Bucks assistant Darvin Ham and Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin have all interviewed for the position.
If they run back that same roster (or close enough to it) it’s not gonna matter who the coach is. They won’t be winning ish.
This
…or “winning-ish”
Or winning-ish-atudenicity
I am on board with the Lakers hiring Doc…personally if they want him I would consider personally dropping him off to them tonight prior to game 4 if they want him.
Agree 100%
PhillyPhan69, I think you’re right with Doc Rivers. The same as with Phil Jackson, if Doc Rivers would do it the same way, he really is just a presence out there. Tex winter and the other old guy (John Bach?) ran the offense and the defense and the other assistants like Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis handled other duties. Phil was just the commander-in-chief and refined handling of personalities.
If Doc would do the same thing I think he would be successful with a veteran team and just handle the personalities. The X’s and O’s Doc should leave to experts in the area. I think really that would work out and Doc Rivers is one of those names I mentioned before that would be perfect for the job.
The Lakers CANNOT hire a young guy, new guy, up-and-coming assistant, anyone like that. Has to be a vet with experience and some success to handle this kind of roster.
Doc Rivers fix current Lakers seamless
He is the only one who can fix Westbrook
Lakers are play in team with championship expectation
In other words, Lakers are 38 win team and targeting championship
Clippers are deeper than Lakers
Lakers formula
LeBron + AD = play-in team = championship goal
Duuuh duhhh duhhhh duhhhh duhmmmmm
Sixers won’t pay him to coach LA and then hire a replacement. Coach isn’t the issue. Roster needs to be better.
Lakers are so delusional. Snyder isn’t leaving Utah for the mess in LA
Who cares who the coach is? The roster is washed up garbage.
Really baffled why the LAL keep on pursuing coaches that are no good at all!
Didn’t they learn the lesson with Vogel?
Now they are looking for a second helping with the names mentioned so far… man, LBJ & AD must jump this sinking ship if they hire any of the 6 guys mentioned in this article, right?
The rumor is that if Snyder doesn’t return to the Jazz then he’ll rest for a year. Hard to say at this point. Lakers would need to wait a year, if that happens. Doubt they would wait that long.
I could see Rivers in LA again. However, they’re going to need more than a new coach. Too many injuries and a lack of depth.
I think Snyder is counting on coming back. He had hip replacement surgery last week so he could be ready for the start of the season. Might not take that long to recover but I think he did it early to be 100% ready.
I heard also he might take the year off but this perhaps leans toward coaching this next year for the Jazz?
The Lakers need more than a coach! They need a new owner and a whole new front office. Their roster needs a complete overhaul
Lakers need a coach and offense. To make the Westbrook move work. Stop the finger pointing. They have no choice but to make it work. Nobody is going to trade for him. Their team D and injuries. Is what hurt them the most. This team is not a contender imo.
The Bron window is closing. Only thing they can get from Bron is the scoring title chase. They are better off moving him to Cleveland. And rebuilding the Laker Franchise.
In order to get out of paying Doc his contract can we use him in a trade?
We will give you Tobias Harris, a second round pick and Doc Rivers for Anthony Davis.
If the Sixers fire Doc, then who will they get, LOL
They will be stuck with some sort of Dumpster fire
And why would Doc want to coach whiner and complainer and washed up Lebron James??
Coaching the Lakers would be another Ben Simmons Clown Show
He coaches the sixers ain’t no bigger baby then Joel embiid. He’s fine where he at.
@David…. Lol and give me a break
Sam Cassell for starters, how about Jay Wright? I would take both of them today. I don’t think finding a better coach is a huge reach in this scenario.
I don’t think Doc is totally to blame however and we certainly need to tweak the fringes of our roster regardless of if Doc stays or goes. But Doc definitely has issues with coaching the modern game. His love affair with giving DJ and Milsap playing time when it’s clear to everyone in Philly that DJ -22 in 19 minutes isn’t a good idea let alone the best one.
I think Jay Wright it retired, he needs to reenergize
Rivers is brutally overrated. One championship to his credit with a team that even M.L. Carr could have won with.
ML Carr lol I loved MLCarr
I remember him on the Jazzi loved his goggles, his solid play, he want a star, but I always liked him and the fact that he loved fishing! Plus, he always seemed liked a good guy to me
I just looked it up
I got ML Carr mixed up with Antoine Carr
I was just about to correct you LOL. ML Carr was the towel waver for the Celtics way back in the 80s. He played sparingly but was more of a cheerleader on the bench who got a lot of TV time cuz I think he was one of the first guys to really make a production out of being a benchwarmer who cheered his team on.
The Wichita State Austin Carr was a pretty good shooter, scorer, in his career. Jazz loved him and he was fantastic.
Antonie Carr was a lot of fun
Crap !! I said Austin Carr. Wasn’t he with the Cavs in the early 70s? Oh my goodness, too hilarious. Thanks for the correction.
Get that weak stuff out of here!
Austin Carr is voice of the Cavs.
Tuck back in to the Clown Carr.
LeBron and his meddling flunkies are the problem, not the coach.
It’s funny how the grass is always greener when it comes to firing coaches. I love it when those coaches go to another team and win a championship. Rick Carlisle comes to mind. He was fired by both the Pistons and Pacers before winning a title as the Mavericks head coach. Interesting how he’s back with the Pacers again. Would be even more interesting if the Pacers fire him again and the Pistons hire him next. Lol
Why would Snyder want to go and be an assistant coach for LBJ? He is very savvy and too smart to go to that chaos and drama, with those overpaid losers?