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My top preferences for the Lakers

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AD’s Opinion To Be Taken ‘Under Consideration’ In Head Coach Search

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After a rollercoaster of a 2023-24 season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ year ended with a first round exit against the Denver Nuggets.

Los Angeles knew that changes needed to be made and they went for the low-hanging fruit as they dismissed head coach Darvin Ham. For weeks leading up to the playoffs, Ham’s job security was becoming a hotly-discussed topic because of his in-game shortcomings and questionable press conferences and the Lakers decided to cut bait after just two years.

Now, the organization is expected to cast a wide net in their head coaching search with names like Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, Tyronn Lue and JJ Redick being mentioned as possible candidates. LeBron James might have a player option for the 2024-25 season he can opt out of, but is expected to have a say in who the team hires.

However, it won’t be just James whom L.A. listens to as they’ll also illicit input from Anthony Davis as well, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:

“And of course LeBron James’ opinion will be taken into consideration, but not just LeBron James. Anthony Davis as well I’m told,” McMenamin said. “And the team kind of looks as Anthony Davis finally taking the torch from LeBron in the last season-and-a-half. While LeBron can still have the time to process the end of this season as he decides his future with the team, they have another voice and another leader in Anthony Davis whose opinion they will take under consideration.”

The 2023-24 season was a clear indication that Davis had taken more ownership of the team and embraced his role as a leader alongside James. Los Angeles values Davis as a player and partner after they gave him a three-year extension, and they should definitely have him as a stakeholder in key decisions like who to hire as a head coach.

Lakers against adding 3rd star to their roster

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Jovan Buha discussed the team’s summer planning on the May 2 episode of The Athletic’s NBA Show. See his quote below.

“The Lakers have pushed back in recent weeks and months on the notion of going down the three-star build path, so we’ll see how that all shakes out. I think LeBron James will have a say in that.”

Rob Pelinka and the front office went for depth at the 2023 trade deadline and it helped them turn their season around. The Lakers surprisingly reached the conference finals with a deep group playing well together. They only had two stars when they won the championship in the bubble, but LeBron and AD were supported by a strong cast of role players. That model has proven successful, but King James likely has other ideas.

LeBron James prefers having 2 co-stars

LeBron pushed for the Lakers to add a third star when they acquired Westbrook. He had success using that formula in Miami and Cleveland, but it has not worked in LA.

Acquiring a third star will gut an already shallow team. The Lakers had nowhere to turn in their first-round playoff series against Denver. If they have to trade Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves to get a third star, their head coach will be stuck playing his starting five every minute in the playoffs.

Los Angeles cannot rely on minimum signings to play massive minutes. It has not worked. They need players like Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Alex Caruso filling roles like they did on their 2020 title team.

There will likely be a power struggle this offseason. Does LeBron James win out and convince the Lakers to acquire a third star? The franchise must keep him happy, but should not do it over building a contending roster. Adding two or three quality pieces won’t be easy, but is LA’s easiest path to title contention.

LeBron James often gets what he wants. He certainly desires more talent around him and Anthony Davis. Do the Los Angeles Lakers add a third star like Trae Young? It would be a mistake, but fans may finally get to see who is calling the shots in LA.

Redick, Budenholzer, Lue among top options as Lakers next head coach

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Three candidates have emerged as early options, according to multiple team sources:

-Mike Budenholzer, the former Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks head coach

-Kenny Atkinson, currently a Golden State Warriors assistant coach and formerly the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

-JJ Redick, the ESPN broadcaster and prolific analyst who, among other things, co-hosts a podcast with James.

LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue would immediately become another candidate if he parts ways with the Clippers after their potential first-round exit. Charles Lee, a Boston Celtics assistant coach who worked under Budenholzer with the Bucks and Hawks, is also an option, league sources told The Athletic.

Budenholzer, 54, won a championship as the Bucks head coach in 2021. He was an assistant coach under Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for 17 years, where he won four additional championships, before earning a head-coaching opportunity with the Atlanta Hawks in 2013. Budenholzer coached the Hawks from 2013 to 2018 and the Bucks from 2018 through 2023. His career coaching record is 484-317.

Redick, 39, has become one of the hottest coaching candidates on the market, in part because of his successful podcast, “The Old Man and the Three.” The former 15-year NBA veteran, who retired in 2021, has no professional coaching experience. But he’s considered a sharp basketball mind who’ll naturally transition to coaching given his intelligence, competitiveness and communication skills.

Redick is also the co-host of the “Mind the Game” podcast with James, where the two break down the game’s strategy and execution in depth. Redick is also a candidate for the Charlotte Hornets’ coaching opening, as The Athletic reported.