Kevin Ollie would want player personnel input as Lakers coach

The Los Angeles Lakers elected to part ways with Byron Scott on Sunday night, and have already begun to compile a "long list" of potential replacements.

The team's coaching search in expected to include veteran head coach Jeff Van Gundy and Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton, the latter of whom vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss is said to be "partial" to. The Lakers have also already asked for and received permission to interview San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina.

Another name the team has reported interest in is former NBA guard and current University of Connecticut men's basketball head coach, Kevin Ollie. The 13-year NBA veteran has coached the Huskies to a record of 97-44 during his time at UConn, and is reportedly interested in the Lakers head coaching job. According to a source close to Ollie interviewed by Adam Zagoria of SNY, however, Ollie would want some level of input in the Lakers front office before agreeing to come aboard:

"He's gotta be involved in player personnel decisions," the source said. "Mitch Kupchak has to be willing to involve him in player personnel. He has to have a say-so in that."

It seems unlikely the Lakers would offer Ollie a level of control they were unwilling to cede to now Minnesota Timberwolves head coach and president Tom Thibodeau, so this could be a deal-breaker in regards to Ollie's candidacy. With Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss already making the decisions in the Lakers front office, whether or not Ollie is steadfast in his desire to have input in personnel will certainly affect his candidacy as the Lakers coaching search continues.

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