NBA Insiders’ Top Picks To Coach LeBron And The Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have enough time to fill up the positions of lead basketball executive and head coach, as Magic Johnson decided to resign from his position and Luke Walton agreed to part ways with the franchise. Getting the right coach is of utmost importance for the future of the team.

Having LeBron James on the field is like a dream come true every coach, but it sure complicates things. LeBron knows his game well, and every coach has to take that into consideration. Coaching a 17-year generational superstar is quite a challenge.

Tyronn Lue is one of the options. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Lue is a front-runner for the position in case the Lakers look pretty much the same as LeBron’s Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers teams. The Cavs won their only championship with LeBron on the roster. LeBron likes Lue’s coaching skills. Lue would work well with a well-seasoned group of veterans led by LeBron, but he isn’t really interested in coaching young players.

LeBron would like a coach that fits in his game. Jason Kidd and Mark Johnson are considered successors to Walton. Things got even hotter after LeBron’s arrival in Los Angeles.

Several NBA insiders say that Doc Rivers is also an option. He is still under contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, but multiple sources reveal that he’d have LeBron’s respect.

“There are people in southern California right now in that environment telling Doc he doesn’t wanna do this,” Michael Wilbon said. “And one of those reasons is simply, LeBron James. He’s been told by people — and I know this — LeBron doesn’t want to be coached.

“He’s never been coached by someone with that kind of personality, command, authority, acumen, intellect. He’s rejected that. So Doc is being reminded of that by people.”

But, Rivers was loud and clear about the whole coaching thing. He said, “Let me end this. Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and I are very close friends but Steve Ballmer and I have a great relationship. I’m going nowhere. I’m going to be here for a long time.”