Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers 'low-ball' offers could cost them top coaching candidates

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 5/7/24

The Los Angeles Lakers are searching for a new head coach. They fired Darvin Ham after he failed to build on the team's trip to the 2023 Western Conference Finals. Multiple names will undoubtedly emerge in the coming weeks as Rob Pelinka casts a wide net.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Lakers could struggle to attract elite coaches. He believes their unwillingness to pay eight-figure salaries could potentially see Mike Budenholzer swerve a job in L.A.

"The Lakers have very few good candidates for this job," Windhorst said. "...There's not that many coaches available right now who are experienced, proven and ready to come to Los Angeles. You can say a name like Mike Budenholzer, but before you assume a guy like Mike Budenholzer might go to the Lakers, you need to understand that the Lakers don't pay...They have been outbid before. A couple of years ago, Ty Lue and Monty Williams turned them down...Their low-ball contract offers were a part of it."

"The Lakers have very few good candidates... LeBron [James] doesn't get involved in coaching hires... LeBron's friendships tend to fall out as quickly as they start."

Brian Windhorst on the possibility of the Lakers hiring JJ Redick

(via @dpshow)pic.twitter.com/zsiUijCSDO
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 7, 2024

LeBron James will undoubtedly know who the Lakers' next head coach should be. How much influence he will have on that decision-making process will remain to be seen. However, if the Lakers are extending low offers, they will miss out on the top-end talent currently available.

If they strike out in their search for a proven coach, they will likely have to turn to inexperienced candidates. JJ Redick's name continues to be floated as a potential candidate. However, his lack of experience could prove a stumbling block for a Lakers team with dreams of winning a championship.

Pelinka may have to dig a little deeper into the Lakers' pockets if they want to hire a proven winner. If the reward is a championship, they are unlikely to regret the decision.

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