Report: Head coach hires to pick up; Lakers staff could be poached
The NBA had a sudden moment when many head coaching opportunities opened up around the league.
Teams like the Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic all moved on from its previous head coaches.
Since then, the Celtics hired Ime Udoka, who was an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets. The Mavericks brought Jason Kidd back to the organization after he played for the franchise in two different stints. And the Indiana Pacers signed Rick Carlisle, former Mavericks head coach, to a four-year deal.
The Trail Blazers have been in deep talks with Chauncey Billups to replace Terry Stotts, leaving three other vacancies left, barring other moves.
According to Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group, the speed of new hires is expected to increase, which could affect the Los Angeles Lakers:
“The Lakers have such ambition on their staff, as a healthy coaching ecosystem would call for. But given that the franchise has yet to announce an extension with Vogel, it might make other teams more confident that they can poach his staff, which remained intact last season after the championship. With multiple hires in the last week alone, several people familiar with the coaching market who spoke to SCNG expect the hiring pace will begin to pick up for head coaches and assistants alike in the coming week.”
According to the same report, it’s possible that Kidd brings Lakers staffers to Dallas as he forms his own coaching staff for the new season.
Frank Vogel has only one year left in his contract, and that deal has yet to be extended. With ambiguity surrounding Vogel’s immediate future, teams may feel inclined to tap into a staff that boasts assistant coaches like Lionel Hollins and Phil Handy, who have lengthy and respected resumes.
This sets up for what could be a busy week around the league.
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