Lakers to Interview Erik Spoelstra's Assistant for Head Coach Opening

The Los Angeles Lakers accelerated their coaching search as they are scheduled to meet with multiple candidates in the upcoming week. The front office is casting a wide net as their shortlist includes long-time coaches like James Borrego and Kenny Atkinson while also having potential first-time head coaches.

One name that has recently emerged is a fascinating one. According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Lakers are expected to interview Miami Heat's Chris Quinn.

Quinn has been with the Heat since 2014, the year LeBron James left Miami to join Cleveland. He previously played for the Heat from 2006 to 2010 before joining the staff. The 40-year-old coach has been the lead assistant for Erik Spoelstra.

It's hard to imagine a better environment for a young assistant coach. Widely considered to be the best coach in the league, Spoelstra possesses a rare combination of high-level X's and O's while being excellent at managing egos and personalities.

The Miami Heat organization has been an example to follow for the rest of the league. They always play hard, punch above their weights, and compete at the highest levels. According to the Chris Quinn profile ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz wrote a few years ago, Quinn embodies this Heat culture more than anyone else in the organization.

"A point guard's point guard who has excelled at every task en route to the lead assistant's chair in Miami. Ask Heat insiders who most embodies the team's culture, and Quinn is commonly the answer."

Need more praise? How about Miami Heat lifer and former LeBron James teammate Udonis Haslem. He had this to say about Quinn:

"When you listen to Quinny, you’re hearing Spo. It’s the same message. He has the knowledge, the experience, the relationship with the players. He has every base covered when you talk about checking the boxes to have the ability to be a successful head coach."

Considering the level of respect LeBron James has for Erik Spoelstra, Pat Riley, and the Heat organization, he would presumably welcome the hiring of Chris Quinn. If you can't hire Spoelstra, why not hire the man who was once called his "mini-me" by ESPN?

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