NBA Coaching Rumors: Lakers ‘Favored’ Tyronn Lue, But Waited Until Monty Williams Was ‘No Longer Available’
Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

After interviewing four candidates, the Los Angeles Lakers focused on former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue and Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Monty Williams to replace former head coach Luke Walton.

As the Lakers reportedly were split on offering the head coaching job to Lue or Williams, the latter agreed to a five-year deal to become the Phoenix Suns head coach.

Since then, there have been conflicting reports about if the Lakers moved too slowly in their hiring process and were forced to move on to Lue.

However, it appears Lue was favored over Williams to become the team’s new head coach, according to Marc Stein of New York Times:

Lue was not the unanimous favorite to replace Walton among the Lakers’ many decision-makers in the wake of Magic Johnson’s abrupt April 9 resignation. He was indeed favored over Williams, but there were some nagging fears among a minority of the team’s power brokers — as mentioned here previously — that hiring LeBron’s former Cleveland Cavaliers coach would be giving James too much control in Lakerland.

Since there will be the perception of giving LeBron James too much control, the Lakers reportedly waited for Williams to make his decision:

Lue’s supporters within the organization ultimately deduced that there was only one way Lue could rise to the level of unanimous choice to succeed Walton — by waiting until Williams was no longer available.

Throughout this process, there were multiple reports about the team’s concerns if they ultimately hired Lue. However, since all four candidates have ties to James, it is a matter of hiring the best one to help the Lakers end their six-year playoff drought.

If Lue ultimately accepts the head coaching job, it appears he is determined to surround himself with the best coaching staff possible. Along with former Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel, former Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau has been mentioned as potential candidates to become Lue’s lead assistant coach.

You May Also Like

Lakers Coaching Rumors: Phil Handy Hired As Assistant Coach To Frank Vogel

After a drama-filled start to the offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers, their month-long coaching search led to former…

NBA Rumors: Training Camps For 2020-21 Season To Begin Early December

The Los Angeles Lakers are less than three weeks removed from winning the franchise’s 17th championship…

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Nerlens Noel Will Sign With Lakers, Wizards Or Thunder

While the Los Angeles Lakers had multiple needs to address heading into free agency, they weren’t expected to move…

Kawhi Leonard Free Agency Rumors: Lakers Believe They Are ‘Firmly In The Lead’

Two days into the 2019 NBA free agency, all of the attention remains on Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Lakers…