/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63567171/usa_today_9392145.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have two interviews set up for their head coaching job this week. Leading up to their reported meeting with former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue, general manager Rob Pelinka will meet with Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams on Tuesday, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
Sources: Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is meeting Philadelphia assistant coach Monty Williams today to discuss LA’s head coaching job that is open after Luke Walton was let go last week.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) April 16, 2019
While it was previously reported that the Lakers’ brass would be meeting with head coaching candidates, Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times is now reporting that Pelinka will conduct William’s initial interview alone:
I was told it would just be him. https://t.co/4V4DV722ro
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) April 16, 2019
This report just gives further credence to the idea that Pelinka will be overseeing basketball operations for the Lakers in a larger role going forward. If controlling owner and team president Jeanie Buss was planning on brining someone on board in the near future, why would Pelinka be making these decisions?
It’s also worth noting that president of basketball operations has been vacant longer than the head coach position and there has not been one credible leak about the Lakers reaching out to anyone. While it’s possible that they’re waiting until the conclusion of the NBA Playoffs to reach out to Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers, there’s currently no reason to believe Myers is interested in the job, nor is there a reason for the Warriors to not outbid any offer L.A. makes him.
It’s encouraging that the Lakers are talking to more than one person about the head coaching job after only interviewing Walton in 2016, but if the lone person conducting the interviews is inexperienced and unproven, is the process any better? I guess we’ll know the answer to that question within the coming days.
For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow Christian on Twitter at @RadRivas.