The Lakers are gearing up to make a big move in their quest for a new head coach, according to ESPN. They're set to kick off the search by reaching out to potential candidates in the next few days. Sources say they're eyeing up assistant coaches and former NBA head honchos who aren't on their radar just yet. Some of the names on their interview list include Chris Quinn from the Miami Heat and James Borrego from the New Orleans Pelicans.
After a rollercoaster 2023-24 season, the Lakers parted ways with former head coach Darvin Ham on May 3. Ham had a mixed bag of results during his two-season stint, tallying a 90-74 regular-season record and a 9-12 playoff run. The Lakers snagged a playoff spot in both seasons but fell short in the postseason, getting swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals last year and bowing out in five games to the same team in this year's first-round series.
As the Lakers dive into the coaching search, they're taking a phased approach. ESPN reports that they'll start by chatting with coaches they have a bit of history with before narrowing down the field to a final set of contenders. Among the candidates generating buzz are David Adelman from the Denver Nuggets, Kenny Atkinson from the Golden State Warriors, Micah Nori from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and ESPN analyst JJ Redick.
Though they missed out on Charles Lee and Mike Budenholzer, who snagged head coaching gigs with the Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns respectively, the Lakers are still keeping their options open. With the talent pool out there and the Lakers' legacy, it's sure to be an exciting search.
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