Lakers Rumors: Three candidates that could replace Luke Walton
By Keith Rivas
The latest Lakers rumors have to do with potential replacements for Luke Walton.
It’s only rumors at this point, but after Lonzo Ball was put in the game in favor of a streaking Jordan Clarkson against the LA Clippers, some are re-thinking their feelings on Lakers head coach Luke Walton. What’s important to note is that it is just Walton’s second season with the team, but how he handles Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram in terms of development and playing time will likely decide how long he stays around.
Byron Scott didn’t leave behind any sort of masterpiece, and there’s still a solid case for giving Walton much more time to figure things out — but how much is too much?
If anyone were going to make the mistake of giving a coach too much time to figure things out like the Clippers continue to do with Doc Rivers, it’s the Lakers. LaVar Ball has already been vocal about how Walton coaches the younger Ball, but that’s not the only reason the Lakers could be looking elsewhere soon.
Los Angeles is on the verge of staying at the bottom of the Western Conference playoff chase, and the only way they are going to get there is if their young core pans out the way that Magic Johnson and company believe that they will.
You also have to take into consideration the fact that if Walton’s coaching style causes any more bigger problems down the road, any potential superstars entering free agency are going to take notice. And then at that point, we’ll get to see how Magic Johnson really feels about the direction of the team and if he picks his young coach over an abundance of superstar talent that could come to LA.
With that in mind, here’s three potential candidates for the Lakers head coaching job.