After a failed season that began with a draft-night trade that raised championship expectations and ended outside of the postseason, the Lakers are having to re-evaluate everything from their decision-making to the way they two all -NBA pillars surrounded by their coaching staff. And changes could be coming soon.
The Lakers are expected to fire head coach Frank Vogel, sources tell The Athletic. Among the franchise’s top targets for the position, according to multiple sources, is Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse.
In three seasons as a Lakers coach, Vogel helped lead the franchise to the 2020 NBA Championship and had a 127-98 record. But these Lakers have been looking for a new voice, and Vogel, who is entering the final year of his contract, saw the defensive falter and his voice wane throughout the season.
Nurse, who led the Raptors to a championship in 2019, signed a multi-year contract extension in 2020 and has two years left on his contract. It’s unclear if he’ll be available or if he’d be interested, but the Lakers are hoping the former coach of the year is an option with the allure of coaching James and Davis and the appeal of the Los Angeles market. In order to acquire Nurse, the Lakers would need to get the Raptors’ permission and likely engage them in a possible trade. Expect several other candidates to emerge over the next few weeks, including University of Michigan coach Juwan Howard, who was interviewed for the 2019 opening.
Ten months ago, when the Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook on draft night, the legendary franchise would be in contention for its second championship in three years.