Report: Lakers waiting until free agency begins to hire new coach
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to hire their third coach in as many seasons. (Noah Graham/NBA/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are waiting until the NBA's free agency period is underway to hire a new head coach, in the hopes that it will help them bring LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony to their team, reports Sam Amick of USA Today.
The Lakers parted ways with Mike D'Antoni after they declined to extend him past next season, and have since spoken with multiple candidates about the vacancy, including Byron Scott, Kurt Rambis, and Lionel Hollins, but have yet to make a decision a new coach.
The team is hoping that the ability to help choose the next coach will help entice Anthony, James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, all of whom have opt out clauses in their contract for this summer's free agent period.
Anthony said before the season began that he would be opting out, although new team president Phil Jackson is optimistic he will reconsider and remain with the New York Knicks, while the Heat players have remained silent on their free agency plans.
