Los Angeles Lakers fans have already seen one former assistant coach land an in-demand head coaching opportunity this offseason, and another one could be on the way.
We know that former Lakers staff member Jordan Ott is now the head coach of Los Angeles' Pacific Division rival, the Phoenix Suns. With a roster overhaul of some sort, likely, on the way in the Valley of the Sun this summer, Ott could have his hands full in his first go-round as a leader on the sidelines.
The other major vacancy in the NBA is with the New York Knicks. Naturally, they are big-name hunting when it comes to finding a replacement for Tom Thibodeau, and a coach with ties to the LeBron James era of the Lakers is reportedly in the running for the gig.
Jason Kidd Reportedly Eyed For Head Coaching Opening With Knicks
According to longtime NBA insider Marc Stein, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is among the potential candidates the Knicks would like to speak with regarding their coaching opening. Kidd, who served as an assistant under Frank Vogel in Los Angeles, has made several stops throughout the league as a head coach, with one of those coming in Brooklyn.
The biggest issue facing New York in its pursuit of Kidd would be whether the Mavericks would approve the Knicks' request to interview the Hall of Fame point guard. Stein reports that the Rockets have no plans to allow New York to interview Udoka and, while he could not confirm it, the same can be assumed for Dallas.
Other names on New York's wish list reportedly include current Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Johnnie O'Bryant, and longtime Villanova Wildcats head coach Jay Wright.
Lakers fans have seen this story play out before. New York will enjoy a taste of success, but flip the script from what had worked in an attempt to take the next step. The changes backfire and blow up in the Knicks' face.
Fans of the Purple and Gold will find out soon enough whether history repeats itself in New York, like it has time and time again.