General manager Rob Pelinka is said to be leading the Lakers’ search for a new coach, despite some buzz to the contrary, as relayed by Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Former coach Phil Jackson and Lakers legend and ex-front office man Magic Johnson are advising, though won’t be making the final call. Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts and ex-Nets coach Kenny Atkinson are the reported finalists.
“While Phil Jackson and Magic Johnson are known to be advising Lakers owner Jeannie Buss during the coaching search, general manager Rob Pelinka is leading the process,” RealGM wrote. “Buss’ role during the final round of interviews will be to make sure that the candidates all know the Lakers organization is on the right track, despite several public missteps in recent years.”
Ham, who has assisted Mike Budenholzer since 2014, is believed to be in the lead for the job. The Lakers failed to qualify for even the play-in tournament and fired Frank Vogel after three seasons.
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