After the Los Angeles Lakers fired former head coach Darvin Ham on Friday afternoon, The Athletic’s Shams Charania listed several candidates that they would like to fill the vacancy: two-time Coach of the Year, Mike Budenholzer; Golden State Warriors assistant, Kenny Atkinson; 15-year NBA veteran, JJ Redick; and Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue.
The Los Angeles Lakers have parted ways with coach Darvin Ham, and sources tell me and @jovanbuha an extensive search will commence soon, with candidates such as Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick and, if he becomes available, Ty Lue among others.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 3, 2024
Given the success of Budenholzer and his availability, he’s an obvious choice. Atkinson hasn’t been able to generate many wins but he’s regarded as a culture-builder. Redick is gaining steam as a head coach candidate after putting his basketball IQ on display in the media. Lue’s communication skills and his connection with LeBron James are significant factors in him being named.
However, while they all make sense as candidates, only the first three are realistic targets.
This is unfortunate for the Lakers, who “would have strong interest” in hiring Lue, per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha and Shams Charania. Even James might find it a hard pill to swallow, as an anonymous NBA executive believes that “it is pretty clear that’s who LeBron wants,” per Heavy Sports’ Sean Deveney. Yet, whether the Lakers front office or James is frustrated, the fact remains that there’s little impetus for Lue to leave the Los Angeles Clippers.
At least for the Lakers.
Why Ty Lue is Unlikely to be Lakers Next Head Coach
Yes, there’s history there. Lue coached James to a championship during his last stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played for the Lakers from 1998-1999 to 2000-01, winning two championships beside Lakers legends Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
Yet, for all of that history, when L.A. wanted Lue for the job in 2019, they wanted to dock his pay and pick his staff. That’s hardly how a championship-winning head coach expects to be treated. Especially not from a franchise with whom he shares so much history.
Lue might wonder whether he would be more appreciated now with the Lakers desperate to keep James’ interest.
However, when considering that L.A. has now parted with Frank Vogel, Darvin Ham, and Luke Walton during James’ tenure —three coaches in six years —there’s no reason to believe they would. That type of turnover speaks to result-driven decision-making but also either impatience or incompetence. Impatience in the sense that, more often than not, coaches aren’t going to win a championship within their first two or three seasons with the team. Incompetence in the sense that, if the Lakers front office hasn’t gotten the right head coach for James after three attempts in six years, it brings their evaluation process into question.
Furthermore, Lue has to consider if the Lakers’ job is really more attractive. Whether James retires in two years or five, both L.A. teams have had their potential undermined by injury. In addition, even if the Lakers acquire another star, they’d have as many marquee players as the Clippers do at most. If they do, it’s hard to tell which way a direct comparison of those players leans.
Comparing Big 3s
James is five years older than George and less impactful defensively. However, he’s a more efficient scorer, better playmaker, and well-versed as a leader. Anthony Davis versus Kawhi Leonard is a wash. They’re both two of the best two-way players in the NBA but neither can be relied on to stay healthy. James Harden is six years older than D’Angelo Russell but the better facilitator. Neither of them have a great track record in the playoffs though Harden has been more capable of taking over games.
That said, Russell has had poor postseason performances in back-to-back seasons. L.A. is probably ready to move on from the former second overall pick. If so, they’d have replace him with a star better than Harden to make a firm case that they have the better Big 3. A player like Trae Young or Zach LaVine may not accomplish that.
3 More Head Coach Candidates
Though Lue is likely to have at least some level of mutual interest in the Lakers’ job, it just doesn’t seem like the opportunity he’d jump at. Not after 2019. Not now.
Budenholzer, Atkinson, and Redick are more legitimate candidates for the Lakers. Lakers assistant Phil Handy and Boston Celtics lead assistant Charles Lee may also get an opportunity. Handy was among the Lakers’ head coach candidates in 2019. Lee and Atkinson were among the Lakers’ head coach candidates in 2022.
Two-time NBA champion Rajon Rondo could be another contender for the position. One of the brightest basketball minds, he officially retired in April. However, if the similarly inexperienced Redick is viewed as a head coach candidate, he should be too. Even James believes Rondo should be coaching already.
