The Los Angeles Lakers continue their search for a head coach with erstwhile favorite Tyronn Lue now out of the mix. Talks between the two sides ended abruptly with the Lakers unwilling to grant the 42-year-old’s wish of getting a five-year deal with Los Angeles only amenable to a three-year pact.
With Lue out of the way, the names of Frank Vogel, Lionel Hollins and Mike Woodson have been inserted into the fray, NBA.com said. Past names include Jason Kidd and Juwan Howard, part of the initial four names with the others being Lue and Monty Williams. For his part, Williams will be calling the shots for the Phoenix Suns next season.
If the LeBron James factor is to be considered, one name that stands out is Howard. He and James were teammates when both were with the Miami Heat although he has no prior head coaching experience. But according to former Laker Lamar Odom, Howard is fit to take over from Luke Walton.
"Somebody that has some presence. Somebody that can handle having LeBron on your team," Odom said in an interview with TMZ Sports.
Odom made the remarks even before Lue and the Lakers decided to end contract talks. With the addition of Vogel, Hollins, and Woodson, it remains to be seen if Howard is still in contention for the post. Initially, Vogel was being considered as one of Lue’s top assistant deputies alongside Tom Thibodeau. But the recent developments have obviously altered the head coaching search of the Lakers.
It has been a rowdy couple of months for the Lakers who initially said that they are in no hurry to name their next head coach. The team president position, previously held by Magic Johnson, is also up for debate although it appears that Rob Pelinka will be doing more than just serving as the Lakers general manager.
The Tyronn Lue talks have come as a shock to most, especially considering that he and James go way back. NBC Sports suggested that everything may be on the table right now – including LeBron James.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith claims that trading LeBron James at some point could happen. The Lakers are in turmoil and team owner Jeanie Buss could allegedly be implored to try and trade the three-time NBA champion even though it seems crazy and a bit unrealistic.
“You’ve got folks close to Jeanie Buss imploring her to trade LeBron James. He does not have a no-trade clause, and now you haven’t given him the coach that he wanted,” said Smith.
