Dave Joerger or Doc Rivers
Current Job: Kings/Clippers
In the event that the Lakers try and steal a current head coach, there are two names that almost immediately come to mind. Let’s begin with Dave Joerger, who is fresh off having an excellent season with the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings performed much better than expected this season, and will finish as the 9th seed (higher in the standings than the Lakers) in the Western Conference. Joerger will likely earn some votes for NBA Coach of the Year, but there has been a reported rift between him and the team’s front office.
If this is something real, perhaps the two sides who look to move on from each other. That could open the door for the Lakers to possibly swoop in and snag their new head coach.
As for Rivers, it’s easy to see how he could wind up on the Lakers. He’s arguably in the midst of his best coaching performance of his career and if LAL would swing and miss in free agency, you’d have to wonder if he’d like a way out of his contract with the team.
I can’t imagine that Doc would want to head complete rebuild, and he might just be what the Lakers need. Plus, there’s no question that LeBron would back the move.