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LakerTom wrote a new post
Mike Budenholzer is emerging as the frontrunner to become the Phoenix Suns’ next coach, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/chkIqrwxnP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 9, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
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LakerTom wrote a new post
ESPN Sources: The Phoenix Suns dismissed coach Frank Vogel. The Suns — who won 49 regular-season games with league’s third-highest payroll and tax — were swept in opening-round series to Timberwolves. Mike Budenholzer will be prominent part of search. pic.twitter.com/SDTRkXxkrG
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 9, 2024
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The Lakers better start interviewing candidates in whom they are really interested. I would rather take a gamble on a candidate who has HOF upside due to his BBIQ and rapport with LeBron than a long-time assistant who may not be head coach caliber. Big difference between being a head coach and an assistant. Most assistants don’t have the charisma and swagger to be the boss.
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Mike Budenholzer – born in AZ, now all but set to become Phoenix Suns HC. Had contact with the Lakers, but I am told the Phoenix Suns well and truly lead the race for his signature.
— NBA Insider (@nbainsidergoat) May 9, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Jaxson Hayes unsure if he will pick up player option for next season:https://t.co/jjXlBL2s4M pic.twitter.com/WYa3Y7YJ5Z
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) May 9, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Lakers Coaching Update, Players To Keep, What Matters vs What Doesn't https://t.co/uyGyFdWOu0
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) May 9, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Charlotte officially hires Charles Lee!! One potential option off the board for the Lakers…
Intrigued by the fit for Charlotte, they have a bunch of interesting pieces that is at Lee’s disposal
— Sean Davis (@Sean_Davi) May 9, 2024
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Former Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is a name to monitor as a lead assistant candidate on Charles Lee’s staff with the Hornets.
Ham and Lee worked together for eight years under Mike Budenholzer from 2014-2022. pic.twitter.com/TeP8ghkv0p
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 9, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Woike on the Lakers coaching search not “focused” on experience.#LakeShow
“But while there’s a desire to find someone with experience, the Lakers, sources say, aren’t solely focused on that and seem to be open to speaking with candidates from multiple coaching pedigrees.” pic.twitter.com/0rxfGIwPgN
— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) May 8, 2024
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The last thing the Lakers don’t want to do is pass up on a head coach candidate like Redick who could be the next Pat or Phil just because he has no experience. There are solutions for that. You interview him because you know you need another Riley or Jackson if you want to win more championships going forward. The league is changing before our eyes and we need to change to. No more so-so retreads or blah assistants. There’s a guy out there who’s going to be a HOF coach for some franchise. It would be a shame if it wasn’t the Lakers.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
.@KingJames reflects on the Lakers playoff exit and gives credit where credit is due.
Episode 7 of Mind the Game with LeBron and @jj_redick is now live: https://t.co/PZEPZ7YtS3 pic.twitter.com/c0tL7hkPfV
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) May 8, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Lakers News: Appalling Trade Package for Potential Star Target Revealed https://t.co/ViEpvdB3ok
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 8, 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers will do their best to acquire a third star to pair alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James this summer. The front office has plenty of assets to make a trade, but it takes two to tango.
The Lakers have enough, but it will be up to the other team to cooperate and complete a deal. The purple and gold are rumored to acquire a handful of star players, including Utah Jazz All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen.
Markkanen could be a prime candidate for the Lakes this summer; however, the price may be overboard. According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, the price for Markkanen could be ‘something like four or five first-round picks.’
“In a big picture, Markkanen’s value to the Jazz is so great that it’s going to take an offer that is probably not going to come to pry him from the Jazz,” Jones writes. “Something like four or five first-round picks, and a star-level talent coming over. Markkanen is a 7-footer who shoots 40 percent from 3-point range on volume.”
Potentially giving up four or five first-round picks for a one-time All-Star may be too much to handle for teams who want Markkanen’s services, even for the Lakers. While Markkanen is a great player who embodies today’s NBA style of play, you’ll only be guaranteed his services for two seasons. The 26-year-old is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.
Markkanen could fit in perfectly alongside James and Davis. He is a stretch four who is a willing defender and can add a scoring punch to the squad. The former 2017 lottery pick averaged 23.2 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from the three-point line, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
The Finland native won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year award and has made a name for himself in Salt Lake City. If he becomes available in the trade market, expect the Lakers to vie for his skillset.
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There is no player out there who would be a better fit next to LeBron and AD than Lauri. Lakers should give up their picks and swaps to land him. Only cost $17M in matching salaries. Lakers would still have deep bench and MLE to use. This s/b #1move.
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Why would Utah move him? Only reason I can think of are issues with his durability, hasn’t played in than 68 games ever and only crossed the 60 threshold 3 times. His deal is only partially guaranteed next season, to boot. Ainge ain’t moving that chip for that pittance, not in any dimension of reality.
Utah can wait, as well. They’re in no rush for our desperation heave. That deal will be on the table all season long and Utah can say “cool bro, we’re going to wait and see but thanks for giving us leverage in other deals Rob!”
Lakers need to see what they can get back for Rui and 2 1st rounders, maybe not even that much, and not utterly forsake the future. Young bloods tearing up the league now and old players ain’t making it out of the 1st round. THAT’S what’s happening in the league today.
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Multiple draft picks and he’s really too old for the rebuild they need. Cash in now to avoid losing him for nothing or tying up a player to big money before the rest of the roster is ready.
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Won’t lose him for nothing, they can just move him next March.
Also he’s 2 freaking 6, that’s not old.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
5 Best Destinations For Kevin Durant If He Demands A Trade Again This Offseason https://t.co/d2NxmOxA7H
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 8, 2024
The Lakers Form An Incredible Big 3
Los Angeles Lakers Receive:
-Kevin DurantPhoenix Suns Receive:
-D’Angelo Russell
-Rui Hachimura
-Taurean Prince
-Max Christie
-2029 First-Round Pick
-2030 First-Round Pick SwapOnce again, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves exiting early from the playoffs, this time falling to the Denver Nuggets in the first round. With LeBron James in the twilight years of his career, the Lakers are in desperate need of another superstar to maximize their championship window. Acquiring Kevin Durant could be the seismic shift needed to create a formidable big three, alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis.
This potential Lakers lineup, which notably retains promising guard Austin Reaves, could dominate the NBA. Durant’s scoring ability, combined with LeBron’s all-around brilliance and Davis’s defensive prowess, would pose a significant challenge for any opponent. This trio would not only bolster the Lakers’ offensive firepower but also bring a level of versatility and experience that is unmatched in the league.
In return, the Suns would receive a package that includes D’Angelo Russell, who could immediately step in as a primary ball-handler and scorer. Rui Hachimura and Taurean Prince would provide depth and versatility at the forward positions, while young talent like Max Christie offers developmental potential. The future draft picks, including a first-rounder and a pick swap, give Phoenix additional assets to either rebuild or leverage in further transactions.
For the Lakers, this trade is a clear signal of their intention to compete at the highest level, leveraging the remaining prime years of LeBron and the peak abilities of Davis. For Durant, it offers another chance to chase championships in a high-profile setting, potentially cementing his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
DPOY voting results: pic.twitter.com/uQwz1cz5NS
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) May 7, 2024
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AD got robbed again… DPOY is nothing but a popularity contest now pic.twitter.com/HZskpsvR3O
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 7, 2024
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was he? Minnesota had the best defensive rating in the league, we had the 17th. Gobert is a huge reason for that and so was AD. Honestly the only thing I’m surprised at was Shai getting less love.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
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Anthony Davis wants to build continuity while LeBron James wants a third star. There is an answer. Spend your 3 picks and 4 swaps on a budding third star who only makes $20-$30M rather than $40-50M and you can still build a deep and diverse starting lineup and bench. https://t.co/SrEjv067pT
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 8, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Trae Young just left Klutch.
Will this affect any relations to the Lakers?
— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) May 7, 2024
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When I say it, I really mean it..
Another Day, Another Opportunity‼️ pic.twitter.com/9SIBo22Lg3— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 7, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
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Time for Changes
If the Los Angeles Lakers want to hire a new head coach who can become their next Pat Riley or Phil Jackson, they will need to dramatically change the internal process they usually used to choose their next head coach.https://t.co/d7RiqbfWS7 pic.twitter.com/H2dWCsKBsD
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 8, 2024
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Opportunity Knocks
Timing is everything when replacing head coaches as the options can be limited but opportunity is knocking loudly on the Lakers’ doors right now as L.A. contemplates J.J. Redick as their next Pat Riley or Phil Jackson.https://t.co/d7RiqbguHF pic.twitter.com/S9IakqrjQ9
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 8, 2024
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The Modern Game
The main reason why the Los Angeles Lakers should to hire J.J. Redick as their next head coach is he would become the driving force leading the franchise to finally embrace the 3-point shot and the modern game. https://t.co/d7RiqbguHF pic.twitter.com/pn2ZapOQWR
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 8, 2024
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LeBron’s Approval
The Lakers are hoping to lock LeBron James up for three more seasons. Hiring J.J. Redick to be their next head coach would help ensure that LeBron’s last few seasons would end more successfully than Kobe’s.https://t.co/d7RiqbguHF pic.twitter.com/l0F5HIa83J
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 8, 2024
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No.
Reddick has a podcast.
Riles spent a season and-a-half as an assistant under Paul Westhead before taking the reigns.
Reddick has a podcast.
Phil Jackson coached in the CBA and Puerto Rico prior to being an NBA head coach.
Reddick has a podcast and is the color man next to Mike Breen because ESPN fired the more interesting, knowledgeable and simply better Jeff Van Gundy.
We’ve seen 1st year/time head coaches fail with LeBron over and over and over again: David Blatt, Luke Walton, and now Darvin Ham. Those guys were at least assistant coaches or internationally well-regarded head coaches.
Reddick has a podcast, oh and he likes to get sauced with LeBron.
Experience matters.
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Experience can be a two-edged sword but I agree that experience matters and it’s usually better to hire somebody who has done it before. The problem is that teams are always limited by who’s available. And relying on experience ends up pointing you toward the same field of fired veteran coaches. I get but don’t agree with the argument that that may be what seems best for the Lakers for the next few years.
Head coaching experience is obviously valuable but also depends on the team and the situation. But it’s a world different from being an assistant coach. So being an assistant coach helps but it’s not a sure path to picking the right guy because his resume depends on the head coach. We saw how hiring an experience assistant worked with Ham. I’m not for repeating that mistake. Leadership is the differentiator between head and assistant coaches. Ham didn’t fail because he was a rookie. He just didn’t do the simple roster and game management every coach has to do. Not rocket science, which is why fans just went so damn crazy.
The Lakers need a visionary head coach and while he has zero experience coaching, J.J. Redick has the kind charisma and starpower as well as a great rapport with LeBron that make him a serious candidate. I’d like to hear what he would do with AD. I think Redick would be a brilliant coach. Yes, he would make some mistakes due to inexperience but sometimes you learn some valuable things when you don’t have experience. It’s J.J. BBIQ and starpower that remind me of Riley and Jackson. We don’t have visionaries with Jeanie and Rob. That’s why I want a head coach who can become the face of the franchise the way Pat and Phil were for the Lakers and Spoelstra is for the Heat.
To me, all you have to do is watch basketball to understand that the Lakers need to get a modern two-way center to play two-bigs with AD. Being above to play big is critical if the Lakers want to compete in the future. Tall, long, athletic, and able to shoot is the prototype. So my final vote on our next head coach will lean heavily toward whichever candidate would prioritize building that kind of team. I think J.J. can see what’s happening with Denver, Minnesota, Boston, and Denver’s size. There’s a changing of the guard sweeping across the league. If Lakers want to catch that wave, they need a charismatic and visionary head coach. Only candidate who could be that imo is J.J. Redick.
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I’m just curious to see a list of guys who had success in the league with absolutely no coaching experience whatsoever on any level. Larry Bird comes to mind but that’s about it?
With this short window on LeBron I just feel like it ain’t the time for on the job training or experimenting. Need to get this right and hit the ground running.
Then they have to get the roster in order…that’s a whole other issue; this is a down draft and our pick might not be worth what we think it is.
Just like last season, we’ll have thread the eye of a very small needle.
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Kerr, Bird…
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Vogel now available!!! Rehire Vogel & get Rondo and Reddick as assistants.
Plus another assistant that is a former head coach with solid experience. I’m sorry they released Handy, but I understand why. Young players need to be developed! When they retire, add Chris Paul and Patrick Beverly to Rondo…you know they won’t be “Yes Men” to each other!!!
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While they’re planning to talk to experienced candidates, Lakers clearly have serious interest in J.J. Reddick and see him as a smart and charismatic candidate who could become a terrific coach.
McTen expects Lakers to add candidates with head coaching experience but Redick will likely be the only candidate included without head coaching experience.
Obviously, Lakers do have serious interest in Redick, which is great news to me. Opportunity knocks. Lakers could get the next Pat Riley or Phil Jackson in J.J. Redick. Would be biggest move since signing LeBron and trading for AD.