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LAKERS HEAD COACH CANDIDATES FOR NEXT SEASON

The Los Angeles Lakers currently sitting at 31-48 as I write this, its safe to say they will--or at least should-- have an eventful offseason this summer. One of the biggest topics amongst the Lakers has been coaching. If in the event championship coach Frank Vogel is indeed fired, I have a few candidates I would like to see the Lakers hire as head coach. 

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NOT VOGEL'S FAULT!

I firstly must say, this Lakers disappointing season is NOT Vogel's fault and he should be one of the last people to blame in my opinion. Outside of LeBron obviously, the Lakers top to bottom were bad this season. And even LeBron had his moments where he had terrible body language and missed defensive assignments that is a bad example to set for the world's best player. But to blame Frank Vogel for the Lakers poorly constructed roster is wrong. Vogel is and has always been a defensive first minded coach who's defense is always elite while the offense is rather simple. For example in 2020, when the Lakers roster was actually constructed to Vogel's system, their defense was elite while the offense was all Bron and AD orchestrating everything. LA going out and getting Westbrook, Wayne Ellington, Malik Monk, and Carmelo Anthony are not aligned with the system Vogel runs and who Vogel is. That 2020 Lakers team was unselfish, had elite chemistry, and was built off their defense. That sounds like a Vogel led team. This current Lakers roster lacks in chemistry, is much more offensive oriented, and needs more of a players coach who is great at ego management. Don't get me wrong Vogel this season has made some questionable rotations which were at times inexcusable, but I can't be surprised with the system Vogel runs and all the injuries causing lineup changes as well. So in the event that is if Vogel is fired, it will be because the Lakers need a coach to fit their new system, rather than Vogel actually being bad at coaching.  

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PHIL HANDY

When it comes to a coaching change the Lakers could first look internal at 3x assistant championship coach Phil Handy. Who has been apart of the Lakers for a couple seasons now and was apart of the Lakers championship season in 2020. Phil has the Lakers players respect and is someone I would trust to manage the egos of the players and turn this Lakers team back to being respectable. Phil would also be a coach with more offensive knowledge which it looks like the Lakers are trending towards. 

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DOC RIVERS

Doc Rivers is another coach who I could see fit with LA. With Philly acquiring James Harden, I would not be surprised if they went out and got Mike Dantoni to coach Harden again. Doc does not have the best playoff record post that infamous 2008 championship but he is someone I can trust to hold every player accountable. Doc is also a player coach who would be respected in the Lakers locker room. And according to BleacherReport's Jake L Fischer Rivers is rumored to be a candidate to take over the Lakers head coaching position. 

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SAM CASSELL

A common theme with this list will be player coaches, and heres another with current 76er assistant coach Sam Cassell. Cassell was also an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers whom were both successful. Another coach I would trust with the task of ego managing and turning the Lakers around who could give them a boost of energy. Doc Rivers has said countless times how Cassell is more than deserving of a head coaching job and is great at communicating and building relationships with players.

NICK VAN EXEL

Nick Van Exel, a Laker legend and current Hawks assistant coach, is another very respected player, coach, and man amongst the league who I could see as a fit in LA. Currently Van Exel has excelled in being a great developmental coach for the Hawks and a guard guru. Van Exel has the experience and enough gratitude along with a good coaching crew to put the Lakers in great position. 

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'CONCLUSION'

Either way, if Vogel does get fired and the Lakers have a new coach whomever it is will have their work cut out for them. Westbrook is most likely option into his $47M dollar player option so the 'big 3' of Westbrook, LeBron, and AD will be returning this season. Meaning the Lakers will not really have much cap room to do anything to improve the roster outside of more minimums potentially. Malik Monk who also has been one of the only bright spots for the Lakes will need an extension. But back to what I was saying, having the NBA championship as a team goal and Russell Westbrook on your team will be a very difficult feat and task at hand. Its hard to think of a coaching candidate really who can fix the Lakers current problems. We have still yet to see Westbrook and James play alongside each other really successfully. Something’s got to give next year for LA. I look forward to this offseason to see what LA has in store to improve the roster, from top to bottom.