The Lakers, who are in the process of searching for a new head coach, have interest in a handful of veteran assistant coaches around the NBA, Jovan Buha of The Athletic stated within a mailbag video (YouTube link; hat tip to Lakers Nation).
According to Buha, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Nuggets assistant David Adelman, Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, and Heat assistant Chris Quinn are among the head coaching candidates that intrigue the Lakers.
Nori has been with the Timberwolves since 2021, having previously served as an assistant in Detroit, Denver, Sacramento, and Toronto. Adelman, who has been an assistant under Michael Malone in Denver since 2017, was on the Wolves’ staff from 2011-15 and was with the Magic in 2016/17. Sweeney’s stint with the Mavericks, which began in 2021, was preceded by assistant jobs in Detroit, Milwaukee, and Brooklyn. Quinn has been on Erik Spoelstra‘s staff in Miami since 2014.
“To my knowledge, the Lakers are not at the stage of interviewing coaches yet, but that will be happening soon,” Buha said. “It’s a little tricky timing-wise because you have Adelman, Nori, and Sweeney all in playoff series right now. You have J.J. Redick who is on the top broadcast team at ESPN and is supposed to be calling the Finals, which would be about a week or so before the draft.
“So it’s going to be interesting to see how the Lakers end up doing their interviews and just the timing of it and if they request certain guys while they’re still in the playoffs, how that process works with the teams.”
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As Buha observes, the logistics may be especially challenging with Nori, who is essentially functioning as a co-head coach for the Timberwolves in their series vs. Denver due to the knee injury that has affected Chris Finch‘s ability to occupy his usual spot on the sidelines. For what it’s worth, it doesn’t sound like the Lakers are in a rush to make a hire within the next week or two, so if Nori is one of their top choices, they could be willing to wait for him.
“From what I’ve been told, the Lakers’ plan is to have a coach in place by the NBA draft, which is June 26,” Buha said.
According to Buha, Tyronn Lue is probably the Lakers’ top choice, but there has still been no indication that the Clippers‘ head coach will become available this offseason. Redick, Kenny Atkinson, and James Borrego have also been mentioned as possibilities for the Lakers; Charles Lee and Mike Budenholzer were too, but they’ve since taken head coaching jobs with other teams.
Appearing on ESPN’s NBA Countdown on Saturday (Twitter video link), Adrian Wojnarowski described Redick as a candidate that the Lakers have been “drilling down on” in their initial research. Woj adds that L.A.’s search is expected to be “wide-ranging” and “lengthy.”
dang. wrong sweeney.
If the new guy gets 5 years as head coach like Budenholzer does he even see year 3 with this team?
Probably not, and Bud probably won’t, either.
My dream come true of JJ and Harden isn’t off the table yet, yay LOL.
Gotta trust the wide ranging part if Jj is being examined
I don’t trust Jeanie with anything, she’ll fall into some good scenarios just based on the Jersey colors but there’s no confidence or willingness to place a bet on happenstance with her at the helm – We wait , and pray
Might as well make LeBron the coach. Whoever gets the job they will need LeBron to call all the shots and do whatever he wants.
Should just let LeBron or Bronny coach the team
Why? LeFlop will still blame everyone but himself for a loss.
The inexperienced coaches are just going to be blamed and fired. Lakers might as well hire Jackson or Van Gundy though neither won anything.
Which Jackson? Phil?
Probably Mark
Jackson will be 79 by the season opener. He’s probably senile. He’ll be looking down the bench for Shaq. Or Willis Reed.
Lebron has been one of the best players in the history of the league, and one of the worst GM’s.
Really? If he’s calling all the shots like everyone says he is then he’s done a hell of a job as GM. He’s built 3 championship rosters for three different teams, I can’t think of any other GM that’s done that.
I don’t think he calls all the shots, just the bad ones
Have Lebron’s wife be the coach. I’m sure he listens to her. Lol
Brons side wives probably have more power. You’ve got a lot to lose don’t you.
I just don’t get this “demand” for Lue ……. long has Ty Lue been hyped up by Stephen A. and ESPN guys.