The Los Angeles Lakers are in search of a new head coach following the firing of Darvin Ham after the team’s first-round playoff exit. The favorites for the job according to FanDuel Sportsbook & Casino Canada are former Hornets head coach James Borrego and Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell. ESPN commentator JJ Redick is also a front runner for the position. Other possible candidates that have been mentioned include Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman, Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori, and Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn.
The Lakers had a disappointing season, being eliminated in the playoffs for the second consecutive year by the Denver Nuggets. They finished the regular season with a 47-35 record and secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference after a play-in tournament win over the Pelicans. The new head coach will be tasked with delivering a second championship during the LeBron James and Anthony Davis era in Southern California.
The odds for the Lakers’ next head coach shifted following reports from The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jovan Buha naming Borrego, Cassell, and Redick as the initial leading targets for the team. Mike Budenholzer, who was favored to be the next head coach, recently signed a five-year contract with the Suns. The coaching search also comes as James’ future with the team remains uncertain, with a $51 million player option for next season and speculation that he could be looking to return to his hometown team, the Cavaliers.
The Lakers’ coaching search is intensifying as they look for a leader to guide the team back to championship contention. With Borrego, Cassell, and Redick being the frontrunners according to the odds, other candidates like Adelman, Nori, and Quinn are also being considered. Following their recent playoff disappointment, the expectations are high for the new head coach to steer the team in the right direction and bring home another championship during the James-Davis era.
The pressure is on for the Lakers to make the right choice for their next head coach as they aim to rebound from their recent playoff disappointments. With the odds favoring Borrego, Cassell, and Redick, the team will need a strong leader to help them navigate the challenges of the competitive Western Conference and compete for another championship. As the coaching search continues, the Lakers are looking to find the best fit to lead the team to success in the upcoming seasons.
