The Los Angeles Lakers have officially parted ways with head coach Darvin Ham after two seasons at the helm, sparking a coaching search led by general manager Rob Pelinka. The Lakers are on the hunt for a new head coach that will not only bring success to the franchise but also align with LeBron James’ preferences.
Two names have emerged as front-runners for the coveted position – Tyronn Lue and JJ Redick. Lue, who previously coached James to a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, is highly respected by the Lakers star. However, Lue is currently under contract with the Los Angeles Clippers for one more year, making it a challenging pursuit for the Lakers.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers are determined to secure a long-term deal with Lue, making it unlikely that he will be coaching the Lakers anytime soon. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is keen on retaining Lue, especially as the team prepares to move to the Intuit Dome next season.
While the Lakers may have their sights set on Lue, it appears to be a long shot given the circumstances. As the coaching search continues, fans eagerly await the decision on who will lead the Lakers into the next chapter of their storied franchise. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.