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The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly narrowed down their candidates for the head coach vacancy to Terry Stotts, Kenny Atkinson and Darvin Ham. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers interviewed Stotts Tuesday and will also be speaking with Atkinson and Ham soon. The team might not get an in-person meeting with Atkinson until after the Golden State Warriors finish their season.
ESPN Sources: The Lakers interviewed former Blazers coach Terry Stotts for franchise’s head coaching job in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Two more assistants will meet with LA in near future — Golden State’s Kenny Atkinson and Milwaukee’s Darvin Ham.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 25, 2022
This is a unique group of finalists for the Lakers, who are trying to find a path forward after a tumultuous season under Frank Vogel. The trio fo LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook were unable to mesh together, but the franchise seems more and more likely to run this thing back instead of moving Westbrook in the offseason. We’ll see what James and Davis think of that decision if that’s ultimately what happens.
Stotts represents the veteran coaching option, while Atkinson could be a hit when it comes to developing the team’s younger players like Talen Horton-Tucker and Austin Reaves. Ham is the typical “can’t miss assistant” candidate, but he’s got a great resume after being part of the Bucks staff which won the NBA Finals last year.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Lakers are +2000 to win the Finals next year. We’ll see if the coach can move that line when the team makes an official hire.