The Lakers have finally begun their coaching search, interviewing former coach Mike Dunleavy this morning. Although the process has begun, it will still be some time before the team’s new coach is hired.
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General manager Mitch Kupchak held a conference call today, and according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters, gave a little bit of a time frame for when to expect a new coach:
Mitch Kupchak says they have begun interviewing coaches, “I would not anticipate hiring a coach in the next 2-3 weeks."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) May 21, 2014
There are a number of qualified candidates for this position and because the Lakers have to make this hire right after missing on the last two choices, they will take their time making this selection.
With so many options for the position, the Lakers will have their choice of a number of guys each bringing different levels of experience. Kupchak added in the conference call that the team may want someone who has some experience:
Kupchak says they’re “leaning towards” a coach with experience at some level, but not necessarily.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) May 21, 2014
Now that the team knows it will select seventh in next month’s NBA Draft, they can begin shaping their team. Whether they choose to keep the pick or trade it for other assets remains to be seen, but the identity of the Lakers next season is finally beginning to take shape, and the head coach hire will be an important sign of where the team wants to go.
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