The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t in the playoffs, but they’ve still managed to make a few headlines on the first day of the NBA’s postseason.
After firing Luke Walton yesterday, who Saturday agreed to coach the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers have received permission to interview one of their candidates to replace him: Philadelphia assistant coach Monty Williams, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
However, Woj adds that the first interview would almost certainly be by phone since the Sixers are currently down 0-1 in their first round series against the Brooklyn Nets.
Williams does have a history with LeBron James, as he was an assistant coach on Team USA during the mini-camp that LeBron attended in 2015. Williams was also the head coach for the first few years of Lakers trade target Anthony Davis’ career. And if we really want to get conspiratorial, he has a relationship with Philadelphia star Ben Simmons, who may have his eyes on L.A.
While Ty Lue is also in the running and doesn’t have a job to do in the playoffs this year, Williams’ candidacy should be seen as legitimate.
