The Los Angeles Lakers have narrowed down their head coaching search to three names: Darvin Ham, Kenny Atkinson, and Terry Stotts. Ham has reportedly made the “strongest impression” on the front office, but the other two have more experience as an NBA HC.

But according to sources close to Marc Stein, there could actually be more candidates still in the mix than one may think:

One source close to the situation told me over the weekend that the list of coaches under consideration by the Lakers is “still wider” than the reported trio of Ham, Stotts and Atkinson.

Whether that means other prominent names could still emerge as factors in this search — or simply, as The Athletic reported Friday, that assistant coaches previously interviewed by the Lakers (Toronto’s Adrian Griffin and Milwaukee’s Charles Lee) will ultimately receive renewed consideration — will play out over coming days.

Stein also pointed out that the Lakers have still not given up the hope of hiring Doc Rivers, even though he's expected to stay in Philadelphia:

Suspicions persist in league coaching circles that the Lakers have not completely abandoned hope that Philadelphia's Doc Rivers becomes unexpectedly available — despite the recent insistence from Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey that Rivers will be back in Philly next season.

Remember, the Lakers are coming off a horrid 33-49 season. Whom they hire as their next head coach is absolutely crucial. The organization is now heading into its final round of interviews but as Stein pointed out, there could be more names still in the mix than Ham, Stotts, and Atkinson. For what it's worth, LeBron James is a big fan of Ham, too.

It will be very, very interesting to see who actually wins the job. Needless to say, they'll have a tall task ahead with the pressure that surrounds this franchise.