Next Lakers coach NBA odds: David Fizdale, Sam Cassell, Kenny Atkinson, Quin Snyder favorites to replace fired Frank Vogel
The Lakers will be in the market for a new head coach.
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It's definitely fair to say that the 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers were one of the most disappointing teams in NBA history considering they were +400 second-favorites to win the title when the season began but couldn't even make the Western Conference play-in tournament. Coach Frank Vogel is going to be fired today according to numerous reports and SportsLine offers NBA odds on the next Lakers coach.
Needless to say, the Lakers are only going to hire someone whom LeBron approves of, and he reportedly is high on current Vogel assistant David Fizdale, the former Grizzlies and Knicks head coach. He's a Los Angeles native to boot and it would be the simplest transition to simply promote Fizdale. He was the team's interim head coach back in December when Vogel entered the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Fizdale also served as the assistant coach for the Heat from 2008-2016, so LeBron obviously knows him well.
Former NBA All-Star and three-time champion Sam Cassell is considered to be a rising star in the coaching community. He's currently an assistant under Doc Rivers – yep, Rivers has been rumored as a possibility as well but why would he leave a better team in Philadelphia? – with the Sixers. Would the Lakers take a chance on a first-time head coach with a roster built to win now? Cassell has always been known as a players' coach. He was a finalist for the Clippers' job before they settled on Tyronn Lue.
Former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson seems to be mentioned for almost every job that comes open. He's currently working under Steve Kerr with the Warriors.
Steve Clifford doesn't have a great overall record as a head coach but did lead the Orlando Magic to the playoffs twice, which is saying something when it comes to that franchise. Clifford was an assistant with the Lakers in 2012-13.
Mike Brown succeeded Phil Jackson as the head coach of the Lakers in 2011 before being fired after the start of the 2012–2013 season. He also coached LeBron with the Cavs and is currently an assistant at Golden State.
There has been speculation about Raptors coach Nick Nurse because he's represented by Klutch Sports, which also represents LeBron and Anthony Davis. Why would the Raptors even let Nurse go?
The Lakers love star power. Might they call Kansas coach Bill Self and gauge his interest? If Self were to even leave Kansas, it would seemingly be now off a title and with NCAA sanctions coming.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Who will be the next Lakers head coach?
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