According to National Basketball Association officials, who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, two candidates to be on Walton’s staff are ex-Laker Brian Shaw, a former head coach in Denver, and J.B. Bickerstaff, who coached the Houston Rockets this season after Kevin McHale was sacked.
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“We are thrilled for Luke”, Warriors general manager Bob Myers said.
The Los Angeles Lakers have swung and missed on the biggest free agents of the past few years.
“New head coach Luke Walton is starting to construct his coaching staff, and the most prominent on his short list of candidates is Brian Shaw”, said Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical as quoted in a Yahoo News report. And if you’re of the mind that Paul George is likely headed elsewhere in two years when his contract hits its opt-out clause, then it could make some sense to reboot now and start a new era. I’m sure that Luke Walton is fully aware of the situation that he is walking into, as well as how much of an uphill battle it will be.
“With the openings in the National Basketball Association at that time”, Kupchak said, “and the openings that we thought might come about once we finished the interview, we decided quickly that he was our first choice, why wait?” Since free agency hasn’t been very fruitful for them recently, it appears as if the Lakers are now going to attack the trading block. Just three years removed from his own playing career, he is expected to relate well with the Lakers trove of young players, a number that could grow, depending on the results of this month’s draft lottery.
“I think everybody’s really excited to have a young coach and a guy who believes in us”.
Bill Simmons, formerly of ESPN, said on Twitter that the Los Angeles Lakers want to make a run at George, giving up their top-3 pick in the NBA Draft.
“There’s a lot of similarities between Draymond and I, but it’ll be a lot to learn”, Randle said.
But if you’re looking for a glimmer of optimism, look no further than the decision on who will be the coach.
The Lakers are fully rebuilding after the retirement of Bryant, Walton’s longtime teammate.
“The way (Steve) leads and the responsibility he gives other people allowed us to succeed even when he wasn’t here to be that top guy”, Walton said earlier this week.
Of course, Kupchak could be chuckling away these rumors due to the fact that he doesn’t want other teams to know what he’s planning.
“We’re hoping for Luke that he continues to play until mid-June”, Kupchak said.
(REUTERS/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY)Feb 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Celtics center Brandon Bass (30) defends a pass by Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the first half of the game at Staples Center.
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THE RAMS ARE BACK: That was quite a party the Los Angeles Rams staged at L.A. Live April 28.
