Charles Lee Head Coach Of Charlotte Hornets is Gone

Chicago JJ Redick, James Borrego, and Sam Cassell have emerged as the Los Angeles Lakers’ initial top targets as the team begins reaching out to potential head coaches and setting up interviews this week, league sources tell The Athletic.

The future coach of the team will have to oversee both the conclusion of the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era — which might last for two years — and the beginning of the next Lakers basketball era, which will be led by Davis. According to team and league insiders, Los Angeles is seeking a coach who can develop with the team for many years to come, with a focus on maximizing Davis’ excellence, the current group of returning players, and the aspect of elite player development.

“This should be more of a hire about AD than LeBron,” stated a source familiar on the issue.

According to league insiders, the Lakers are anticipated to hold a first round of coaching interviews with applicants that the team has not yet thoroughly interviewed. This will enable team executives to get to know the candidates on a personal level before moving on to the next round.

According to those sources, the Lakers are looking for a coach who can oversee the locker room, keep players accountable, diligently organize games, and offer some structure and order.

According to several people briefed on the situation, legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has developed into a well-liked unofficial resource for the Lakers during the hiring process. His extensive network of potential hires, including Redick, gives him insight into the type of culture the team is looking for as well as the qualities of a potential coaching staff. Krzyzewski’s association with the Lakers dates back to 2004, when Coach K was almost hired by Dr. Jerry Buss, but his offer was rejected.

The Lakers’ top initial candidates have been LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue (whose contract expires next season), Redick, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson, Mike Budenholzer (who recently replaced Frank Vogel as the Phoenix Suns head coach), and former Boston Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee (who recently became the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets), according to reports from The Athletic following their dismissal of head coach Darvin Ham.

Since then, the 39-year-old ESPN analyst and 15-year NBA veteran Redick, 46-year-old New Orleans Pelicans associate coach Borrego, who previously coached the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets, and 54-year-old Boston Celtics assistant coach Cassell, who has been an assistant for 15 years after a 15-year NBA career, have emerged as the Lakers’ initial top targets.

League and team sources indicate that assistant coaches Chris Quinn of the Miami Heat, Micah Nori of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets are anticipated to be among the other contenders.

Redick is the most unknown of the coaching candidates because he hasn’t coached at a level higher than youth. alongside his prominent playing career, his stint as a media figure, and his most recent “Mind the Game” podcast alongside James, he’s the most outgoing of the contenders.

He is considered as one of the most promising prospects available despite having no NBA coaching experience, and he has said both openly and privately how eager he is to advance to head coach. Redick conducted interviews for the position of head coach of the Hornets recently and for the opening of the Toronto Raptors previous summer.