Los Angeles Lakers: Exciting sleeper head coach options
By Jason Reed
3. Jay Wright
Jay Wright is one of the best and most established head coaches in the NCAA and has been connected to the NBA almost every offseason because of it. Despite all of the reported interest, Wright has maintained his firm stance as the head coach of the Villanova basketball program.
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However, that could all change if he gets a call from Magic Johnson and LeBron James about potentially being interested in coaching the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wright has been a head coach since 1994 when he got his first head coaching gig with Hofstra. He moved to Nova in 2001 and has compiled a career 570-260 head coaching record with two NCAA Championship wins.
What makes Wright so appealing is that he is the closest thing to Gregg Popovich without actually getting Popovich. He has served as an assistant coach under Popovich for team USA and has already earned the Popovich stamp of approval.
Whether the fans like it or not LeBron James is going to have a say in who is the next head coach, having that Popovich stamp of approval should instantly put Wright near the front of LeBron’s personal list.
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Wright would also get to reconnect with Josh Hart, who was a part of Villanova’s 2016 National Championship run. Hart is not going to be the deal sealer but it does certainly help to have a familiar face that can vouch for Wright in the building.