The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Zach Guthrie as the head coach for the South Bay Lakers, their G League affiliate. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Guthrie will step into a role focused on developing young talent, including likely that of Bronny James. This hire follows the departure of former head coach Dane Johnson, who led the team to a 26-24 record during his single season in charge. Zach Guthrie will be stepping in as the new G League coach, a hire likely to affect the development of Bronny James.
The Los Angeles Lakers are hiring Zach Guthrie as the coach of the franchise’s G League affiliate in South Bay, sources tell ESPN. Guthrie has been an NBA assistant with Washington, Dallas and Utah. pic.twitter.com/khy0jt0jYg
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 10, 2024
Lakers Hire Zach Guthrie As NBA G League Coach
Extensive NBA Experience
Guthrie brings coaching experience from multiple stints over the years with several NBA teams. He began gaining recognition as an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz from 2016 to 2020 under head coach Quin Snyder. Guthrie was essential in helping create the Jazz’s league-leading defenses and their regular season success.
Following his time in Utah, Guthrie then joined the Dallas Mavericks under Rick Carlisle from 2020 to 2021. Most recently, in 2021, Guthrie was hired by the Washington Wizards as an assistant coach. Under coach Wes Unseld Jr., he focused on player development and game planning. These experiences have prepared Guthrie to take on his first head coaching role with the South Bay Lakers, a task that will likely come with more scrutiny than other G League coaching jobs.
Developing Young Talent
Zach Guthrie’s reputation as a player development specialist is likely what landed him the South Bay Lakers job. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for helping young players maximize their potential, focusing on skill growth and basketball IQ. While with the Utah Jazz Guthrie was instrumental in developing key players and young talent. This included Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, two NBA stars who flourished under his mentorship.
This emphasis on player development aligns perfectly with the objectives of the South Bay Lakers. South Bay’s primary mission is to cultivate young talent, preparing them for future NBA success. Guthrie’s ability to focus on individual growth and team dynamics is essential in developing young Lakers.
Zach Guthrie’s Coaching Approach
According to Guthrie, many coaches focus too narrowly on individual skills or specific drills. They are often losing sight of how those skills translate to the team context. He advocates for a more integrated coaching philosophy, attempting to combine individual skill development with team play.
Train the eyes to train the decisions.
Learn this & more from Washington Wizards assistant coach Zach Guthrie as he shared insights on a holistic approach to player & team development in the NBA on the #thebasketballpodcast https://t.co/N2oww5eVNz pic.twitter.com/jrUmc4Latq
— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) June 12, 2023
This mindset will likely influence Guthrie’s work with the South Bay Lakers as he focuses on transitioning players to the next level. His ability to integrate personal growth with team strategy will obviously be key to his success in the G League.
Preparing for the 2024-25 Season
With the 2024-25 G League season approaching, Zach Guthrie now has to prepare the South Bay roster for competition. The team’s schedule has 14 games leading up to the NBA G League Winter Showcase. Guthrie is expected to implement his player development and coaching philosophies. Meanwhile, he’ll be tasked with molding emerging talent like Bronny James, into future NBA contributors. The pressure is on because with anyone coaching Bronny James because LeBron James will be watching.
