Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com reported that the team won't rush into a decision right now:
The Lakers have still not reached out to any of the names they are considering, according to a team source familiar with the coaching search. They are expected to commence a preliminary round of phone interviews soon, but will not schedule any sit-down sessions until later in the month. ...
While it’s natural to assume the Lakers should have a sense of urgency about finding their coach -- particularly as other jobs open up around the league (Golden State, New York, Utah, Minnesota and, presumably, Detroit) -- the Lakers are in something resembling a high-stakes game of Texas hold ‘em.
They know what cards they’re holding: two aging future Hall of Famers in Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash under contract for close to $34 million for next season; a significant chunk of cap space beyond that; and, of course, the intangible asset of calling Southern California home -- plus a prestigious résumé as one of the most storied franchises in the league.
McMenamin pointed out that the team may wait until after the draft lottery and when some of the biggest stars opt out of their current contracts. If the Lakers can draft somebody like Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker or Joel Embiid and/or sign Carmelo Anthony, then it changes things significantly.
Los Angeles already made the mistake of hiring one coach—Mike D'Antoni—whose style didn't fit the team at all. It wouldn't want to make the same mistake twice.
Just because the organization is holding off on hiring a new coach, it doesn't mean that it isn't creating a shortlist of favorites. By now, most fans have read the names linked with the Lakers.
