Another name can be crossed off the Lakers wish list for their head coaching position. Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Kevin Ollie has agreed to a contract extension to remain at the University of Connecticut:
Kevin Ollie has reached agreement on a $3 million annual contract extension at UConn, spurning the NBA, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 19, 2014
Ollie had been one of the more popular names in coaching circles this off-season after leading UConn to a national championship in only his second year on the job. Ollie also has a number of NBA ties due to his 13 year playing career.
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The Lakers were expected to meet with Ollie in the coming weeks, but the team had yet to officially contact him. A point that was reiterated by Wojnarowski:
The Los Angeles Lakers never made a formal inquiry into Kevin Ollie for coaching vacancy, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 19, 2014
Ollie’s extension now knocks three coaches off who were originally believed to be candidates for the Lakers head coach position. Stan Van Gundy is now the head coach and president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons, while Steve Kerr took the head coach position of the Golden State Warriors.
There are still a number of candidates available for the Lakers including Byron Scott, George Karl, and Lionel Hollins. However, one name that has gotten a lot of publicity recently is former point guard Derek Fisher.
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Fisher has no head coaching experience and the team would have to wait until Fisher’s playoff run with the Oklahoma City Thunder is done before contacting him. They may also have to battle the New York Knicks for his services as they are said to be very interested as well.
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Top Lakers Head Coaching Candidates
