After the NBA draft lottery where the Los Angeles Lakers landed the seventh pick in this year’s draft, the team started interviewing potential candidates to fill their vacant head coaching position.
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This past week, the Lakers interviewed Mike Dunleavy Sr. and Byron Scott and according to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins has emerged as a candidate for the franchise:
Lionel Hollins has emerged as a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching job, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Lakers management plans to interview Hollins later this week, league sources said.
While the first two candidates have ties to the Lakers organization, Hollins has had the most recent success. As the former coach of the Grizzlies, Hollins led them to three straight playoffs appearances including trips to the Western Conference Finals and conference semifinals. He also won a championship with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977 and was an All-Star in 1978.
After allowing the second most points in the NBA this season, the Lakers are looking for a defensive-minded coach and Hollins is a strong choice. The Grizzlies were one of the best defensive teams in the league and Hollins has a strong personality that would likely appeal to Kobe Bryant.
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