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Boston Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee is reportedly seen as a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers’ head-coaching vacancy.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Lakers’ search has zeroed in on five names:
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“The top candidates, Mike Budenholzer, former championship head coach of the Bucks—Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick, Charles Lee, and Ty Lue is really the big name if he’s available.”@ShamsCharania updates on the #Lakers search for a new head coach 👀
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Lee was a longtime assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Celtics this season. He’s been Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla’s top lieutenant as the Celtics earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and is one of the most respected assistants in the NBA.
The New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards all considered Lee for their vacancies last offseason.
The Lakers are seeking a replacement for Darvin Ham, who was fired after posting a 90-74 record over two seasons. Interestingly enough, Ham and Lee were both longtime assistants under Budenholzer, who is also being considered for the Lakers vacancy.
It would be an interesting choice to say the least for the Lakers to dabble back into the Buzenholzer coaching tree after being disappointed in Ham’s performance. While the systems are not built the same, it might make more sense to hire a voice that will fully revamp things on both ends of the floor.
Ty Lue, whose status with the Clippers is yet to be settled, would likely be the Lakers’ top option if he became available. LeBron James pushed the Lakers to hire Lue in 2019, but contract talks broke down at the last minute. Lue has been steadfast in his desire to remain with the Clippers.
“I didn’t come here to bounce around and go all over the place,” Lue told reporters Friday. “And Mr. [Steve] Ballmer, Lawrence [Frank], Mark [Hughes], Trent [Redden], Gillian [Zucker], they’ve all been great to me. This is where I want to be, and hopefully they feel the same way. So I haven’t had a bad experience since I’ve been here. Mr. Ballmer showed me a lot of different things that I wouldn’t be privy to if I wasn’t here.”
JJ Redick, who has no coaching experience but does have a strong relationship with James, would be the biggest wildcard choice. Redick has built an impressive media career at ESPN and with his own podcast network.
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