Five Candidates For Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Opening

Byron Scott has been fired as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, as his two-year stint at the head of the team ended with the worst record in franchise history. While much of that could be attributed to a roster in full rebuild mode, Scott didn’t endear himself to the team’s higher-ups by repeatedly butting heads with his young stars.

Now the Lakers are searching for a new head coach and we already have an idea of who they will take a hard look at. Some big names have already come to the surface. Here’s a look at several guys who could take the reins of one of the NBA’s premier franchises within the next few weeks.

Luke Walton

The prodigal son would return in this scenario. Walton was drafted by the Lakers out of Arizona in 2003 and spent virtually his entire career in purple and gold. While with Los Angeles from 2003 to 2012, he won two NBA titles and made four trips to the NBA Finals. The 36-year-old grew up in San Diego (where he was elementary school classmates with the guy writing this piece) and still has deep ties to the area, which means a move home could be welcome.

Obviously Walton is a Phil Jackson disciple after playing for the “Zen Master” for years, but as we saw earlier this year when he took over as interim coach of the Golden State Warriors, he’s not a “triangle offense or bust” kind of guy. During his stint at the helm of the Warriors, Golden State went 39-4, which was the second-best start in NBA history.

Walton has always had a keen basketball mind and during his playing days he was lauded for his basketball IQ and court vision. While his gig as the Warriors’ top assistant is one of the cushiest in sports, it would be really hard to turn down a chance to coach the Los Angeles Lakers, especially given the resources he would have at his disposal.

Walton’s youth could also be a big help as the Lakers need someone to get through to their young stars. Guys like D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and restricted free agent Jordan Clarkson need a mentor they can related to. Walton would certainly be that and he can sell them on being the next Warriors-like super team.

Kevin Ollie

Ollie is one of the most respected former NBA players in the coaching world. He was considered a mentor to young players around the league for the final few seasons of his 13-year career. He has been wildly successful as the head coach at UConn, winning a national title in 2014 and going 97-44 overall in his four seasons.

While he was born in Dallas, Ollie went to Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, so a return to California would be a homecoming of sorts. The 43-year-old is also very close with impending free agent Kevin Durant from their days as teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder. While hiring Ollie probably wouldn’t be enough to get Durant to LA, having him mentor the Lakers young players like Russell and Randle could be a huge benefit to the franchise.

Like Walton, Ollie has scant head coaching experience but he has been highly successful in that time. Several NBA teams have kicked the tires on Ollie in the past and he has opted to remain at his alma mater in Storrs. But when if Lakers came calling he would have to listen.

Jay Wright

This may be a bit thin, but Wright just won a national title and his stock will never be higher. As with Brad Stevens when he jumped from Butler to the Boston Celtics, some moves you just have to make. If Wright gets an offer from the Lakers it would be incredibly hard to turn it down.

Villanova hired Wright in 2001 and he has never looked back. During his time with the Wildcats he has racked up a 354-157 record (.693), four Big East regular season titles, two Final Fours, a national championship and two Naismith coach of the year awards.

While he’s comfortable in Philadelphia, don’t underestimate the pull of a new challenge, especially since Wright has never completely closed the door on a leap to the NBA.

Derek Fisher

Yes, I know Fisher’s tenure with the New York Knicks was an abject disaster, but the Lakers have always been deeply invested in the “family” surrounding the franchise. Fisher is and always will be a member of that family.

The 41-year-old first-time head coach went 40-96 in 136 games in New York, and struggled to consistently implement his system. He was fired in February as allegations swirled that his dating life was a mess and interfering with his duties. But if Fisher could convince a team that he learned from the experience and changed, he’ll almost certainly get another shot at coaching in the NBA.

The Lakers could likely get Fisher cheap and on a contract advantageous to them, but would they want the drama that could follow him? The Buss family would need assurances that he would be on his best behavior, and there’s zero doubt Fisher would leap at the chance to coach the team.

Ettore Messina

Messina might be the best coach to have never had a head gig in the NBA. The 56-year-old Italian is currently an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs and is a legend in European basketball circles. He was a consultant for the Lakers during the 2011-12 season, so he has ties to the team and is also the coach of the Italian national team.

Messina is arguably the greatest coach in Euroleague history, and led teams to four Euroleague championships, seven Italian Cups and five Russian League championships.

He has an incredibly high basketball IQ, understands the game as well as anyone on the planet and favors an unselfish, ball-sharing system. That could be perfect for the young Lakers, who could add another talented piece in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Messina would be a great hire. He wouldn’t be a huge splash, but could actually have the biggest impact of any choice out there.