As the Lakers coaching search continues to move forward slowly, we have been able to cross different names off the list of potential candidates.
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Derek Fisher and Steve Kerr have each taken jobs with other teams, while John Calipari and Kevin Ollie decided to stay in their college jobs. Now it seems as if we can cross another name off the list according to ESPN LA’s Dave McMenamin:
Tom Thibodeau, another name ESPNLosAngeles.com first reported was once being mulled by the Lakers, is no longer considered a viable candidate. The Lakers realize that getting Thibodeau out of his contract with the Chicago Bulls would require trading their No. 7 pick in this year’s draft and L.A. deems that too steep a price to pay.
Thibodeau has proven to be an excellent coach in his short time at the helm of the Chicago Bulls. He is one of the best defensive coaches in the league and has continually gotten the most out of his often injured and undermanned Bulls teams.
Giving up a first-round pick for any coach, however, is a price the Lakers are unlikely to pay. With the team looking to rebuild, this year’s first round pick is one of the few blocks the Lakers possess.
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As it stands now, Byron Scott seems to be the favorite of the names being mentioned, though Lionel Hollins and Mike Dunleavy are both viable candidates as well. The Lakers still may be some time away from naming their new coach, possibly wanting to wait until free agency begins, so fans should probably just get comfortable.
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