L.A. Lakers Rumors: Numerous Candidates Emerge For Head Coaching Vacancy — Luke Walton, Kevin Ollie, John Calipari

The L.A. Lakers are not just looking to rebuild their roster after the worst season in franchise history, but their coaching staff as well. Byron Scott was recently fired after two seasons in the head coaching position, and now the Lakers are looking at who will replace him. A lot of names have started falling into the mix including David Blatt, Luke Walton, Derek Fisher, and even John Calipari from the University of Kentucky.

One of the names that has been flying around most often is that of Luke Walton, the assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors. USA Today is reporting that the Warriors have given the Lakers permission to interview Walton, but he doesn’t wish to do so as long as the team is still in a playoff series.

Walton would be open to interviewing between rounds, but that would have to be a quick process.

The Lakers have also received permission from the San Antonio Spurs to speak with assistant Ettore Messina, but their interest may be elsewhere. Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times is reporting that a few college coaches will be talked to, and University of Kentucky coach John Calipari is seen as “intriguing.”

Each and every single year, Calipari’s name gets thrown into the mix of those that could take a head coaching position in the NBA. Each and every single year, Calipari ends up returning to coach the Kentucky Wildcats. The Lakers are said to not be “entirely certain” about him, but his name is in the mix.

UCONN head coach Kevin Ollie is said to be drawing a lot of interest from the Lakers, and his name has been mentioned more than once. Now, there would be a bit of a catch if Ollie were to come in as the Lakers head coach.

SNY is reporting that he wouldn’t just want to be head coach, but he would want player personnel control as well. If the Lakers ended up wanting him as their coach, he would have to be given a say in the player personnel.

Lakers Nation has also noted that Los Angeles has plans to interview former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt as well. He was just fired by the Cavs back in January at a time when the team held one of the best records in the NBA at 30-11.

Derek Fisher has not been mentioned often in NBA rumors for the head coaching position in Los Angeles, but he’s certainly thrown his hat in the ring. He is actively campaigning to coach the Lakers, and he believes that his connections to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook could help him land the job.

If Fisher could somehow guarantee to the Lakers that he could convince Kevin Durant to sign with the team this summer, they’d almost certainly let him be their head coach.

In two years, Byron Scott was 38-126 before he was fired, but some say that he was let go for another reason as well, and that was enabling Kobe Bryant. Sports Illustrated says that Bryant’s final NBA season spiraled out of control, and that Scott was to blame for a lot of things that transpired.

The L.A. Lakers are going through a major overhaul from one position to the next, and that includes both on the floor and on the bench. While the player roster does need to see a lot of changes before next season, they need a good leader to guide them through. Luke Walton appears to be the frontrunner but Kevin Ollie, David Blatt, John Calipari, Derek Fisher, and many others could end up with the job before a decision is made.

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