Larry Nance Jr On Lakers Search: ‘First-Time Head Coach Is Not The Answer’

New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. is more than just a player. He loves the game and is an ambassador for it. He’s also a former member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

So he follows the NBA closely. And like the rest of us, he’s hearing plenty about what’s going on with the Lakers and their ongoing coaching search.

The Lakers missed out on UConn coach Dan Hurley and are said to be back on the JJ Redick bandwagon. Redick is expected to interview with LA this weekend. New Orleans Pelicans assistant and ex-Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego is among the others who have been linked to the franchise.

Anyway, Nance said he thinks the Lakers should lean toward someone with NBA head-coaching experience.

“Personally, I think a first-time head coach is not the answer,” Nance said on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back. “The LA market is really hard if you’ve never dealt with something like that before. Obviously, you miss a shot, and you’re the next fill-in-the-blank. You miss a shot and you should’ve never picked up a basketball in your life. It’s tough.

“I think you probably need an established coach but I can’t necessarily put a name out there for that. You need someone with clout.”

“I think a first time head coach is not the answer” 👀@Larrydn22 on the Lakers head coach search pic.twitter.com/eKE6faixsq

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) June 13, 2024

Nance, 31, is the son of Cleveland Cavaliers legend Larry Nance and was drafted by the Lakers out of Wyoming in 2015 (No. 27 overall). Along with the Pelicans, Lakers and Cavs, he has also spent time with the Portland Trail Blazers.

So he’s had plenty of coaches at this level and perhaps has a pretty good idea of what works. Again, he’s also played for the Lakers, and he’s right — they’re not like most other franchises. It’s glamor and glitz and sky-high expectations.

As for Nance, back when he played for the Cavs, I asked what he thought of the coach at the time — who just happened to be the short-lived John Beilein.

“I’ve never had a problem with a coach in my life,” he said.