The Los Angeles Lakers' search for a new head coach — who will be tasked with turning around the franchise and overseeing the closing of LeBron James' championship window — is gaining steam, albeit meticulously.

With the rumors percolating by the day, let's take a moment to round up what we know so far.

Lakers Head Coaching Search Information

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1) Lakers Head Coaching Search Timeline

At Rob Pelinka's post-exit-interview press conference — the only time he's spoken to the media since firing Frank Vogel — the Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager indicated that he would like to have a new skipper in place by the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23rd.

The Lakers are being purposefully deliberate with their process, perhaps in the case that currently employed names (Doc Rivers, Quin Snyder) become available. Yes, Daryl Morey said Rivers will be back in 2023, but that doesn't necessarily mean he wouldn't listen to a trade offer (Doc is reportedly under contract for at least two more years).

2) Criteria

When Pelinka was asked about what qualities the Lakers will be looking for in their next head coach, he cited gravitas above all else.

“We just felt organizationally at the highest level it was time for a new voice…In terms of what this team needs right now, we feel like with, obviously, superstars on our team, we want a strong voice that's able to inspire the players to play at the highest level of competition every night. And I think that's gonna be one of the resounding qualities that we look for in terms of holding everybody — from the top player on our team to the 15th man — to a degree of accountability. And that's going to be one of the many characteristics that jump out” (he didn't specify any other criteria).

Those comments seem to imply that the Lakers are seeking a candidate with a proven track record as an NBA head coach and/or player. As Kevin Pelton articulated in his roundup of promising coaching prospects when discussing Charles Lee: “A number of executives and coaches say that had Lee played one minute in the NBA (or had NBA bloodlines), he'd be gainfully employed as a head coach today. Such is the case in the NBA circa 2022, where owners and front offices increasingly favor those who have an NBA entry on Basketball-Reference.”

Stylistically, the Lakers will need to strike a balance between offense and defense. Vogel was a defensive-minded HC who oversaw Lakers top-ranked Ds for his first two seasons. Then, the Lakers swapped defense for offense, resulting in a roster ill-fitting for Vogel. Because of how many personnel questions exist heading into the summer — especially what to do with Russell Westbrook – the Lakers should hire the best candidate, then construct a roster based on his or her strengths.

3) Lakers Head Coaching Candidates

As it stands, the Lakers have interviewed or requested to interview six candidates, though they've been linked to more.

  • Terry Stotts, a respected offensive tactician who achieved a .558 win percentage and conference finals berth in nine seasons helming the Portland Trail Blazers.
  • Mark Jackson, who went 121-109 with the Golden State Warriors from 2011-14. Despite no longer being a Klutch client and burning bridges on his way out of Golden State due to a bevy of problematic incidents, Jackson has the support of Rich Paul and LeBron James.
  • Adrian Griffin, a former pro forward who has become a key assistant with the Toronto Raptors.
  • Darvin Ham, who played in the NBA for eight seasons and has been a highly-regarded assistant since 2008, including with the Lakers from 2011-13. Ham has worked under Mike Budenholzer with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks and has interviewed for numerous head jobs. According to The Athletic, Ham and Stotts are the “closest to current favorites” to get the job.
  • Charles Lee, who has also served under Budenholzer since 2014. The 37-year-old is ready to run a team and has been a finalist for openings with the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans. Per Pelton: “Lee has established himself as a multitool coach who projects confidence, emotional and tactical intelligence and affability. Colleagues marvel at his ability to relate to everyone, be it a two-way player…to an owner (he worked as a trader on Wall Street).”
  • Kenny Atkinson, who did a superb job with the Brooklyn Nets before Kyrie Irving decided he didn't want a real coach. Atkinson has worked alongside Ty Lue then Steve Kerr over the past two seasons. He's a quintessential hoops junkie with a lauded work ethic, acumen, and player development skills.

Names like Rivers, Snyder, and Nick Nurse, have been mentioned, though all three — who are under contract — have shot down the speculation. Utah Jazz assistant Ryan Jensen, Russell Westbrook's ally Scott Brooks, and veteran honcho Steve Clifford are among the names to have surfaced, as well.

As for outside-the-box ideas: Recent former Lakers such as Rajon Rondo (an aspirant head coach) or Jared Dudley (coaching in Dallas), or a college heavy-hitter like Dawn Staley, John Calipari, or Jay Wright would make a major splash. Don't fret, Lakers fans: Phil Jackson and Kurt Rambis are not candidates.

Interestingly, the Lakers don't seem to be considering anybody on their current staff, including player development guru Phil Handy (who wants to be a head coach and interviewed for the Wizards job), former Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale, Quinton Crawford, who coached the Lakers Summer League squad in 2021, nor Miles Simon, who enjoyed a stellar campaign stewarding the South Bay Lakers in 2021-22.

4) Assistants

Speaking of assistants, the Lakers, as of now, have not made any changes to their staff. If you'd assume a new coach would come with his or her crop of underlings, think again. In addition to low-balling coaches, the Lakers have not allowed recent head coaches to fill out their staffs with “their guys.”

It's hard to pinpoint the precise impact of assistant coaches outside of anecdotes here and there. But, the Lakers staff, as a whole, indisputably underperformed in 2021-22 and personally clashed with Russell Westbrook. Last summer, the Lakers made a slew of mysterious coaching decisions, including letting Brooks go to Portland and a falling out with Lionel Hollins in the wake of Jason Kidd's departure.

There are a handful of reasons why the Lakers' staff should look different next season. On the other hand, any continuity is welcome.

5) Shot-Callers

Jackson is consulting on the search. Jeanie will also receive input from (at least) Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Anthony Davis Rich Paul, and the C-Suite — Pelinka, the Rambii, Tim Harris, Joey and Jesse Buss.

I believe the most important question facing the Lakers over the next half-decade is how the decision-making hierarchy sorts out, especially once LeBron's watch is over, and Jeanie and Rob have made a concerted effort to reclaim their status as the top decision-makers since the season ended.

The imminent head coaching hire will be the first clue to how the Lakers will operate in the years to come — and the first major indicator of how they plan on turning this whole thing around.

Lakers Head Coaching Search Prediction: I think the Lakers will hire a former player and first-time head coach, such as Ham or Lee, then add an experienced frontman and well-regarded schemer like Stotts as a lead assistant/offensive coordinator.