The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to reset the LeBron James era with the hiring of Frank Vogel. It was widely reported last week that Vogel has agreed to a deal to become the next head coach of the Lakers and a press conference formally announcing the hiring is expected as soon as Monday. In the meantime, The Athletic’s Joe Vardon has reported that LeBron has spoken with Vogel since he agreed to become the Lakers next coach. Details of the conversation between James and his new coach are unknown, but it appears an olive branch has been extended by the King through his willingness to open up a dialogue.
James was reportedly taken aback by the breakdown of talks between Los Angeles and his former coach, Ty Lue. The Lakers initially offered Lue the position and reports indicated that he was planning to bring Vogel on as an assistant. But the Lakers only offered Lue a three-year contract and he believed his championship pedigree was worthy of a five-year deal. So with Lue out of the picture after turning down the job, Los Angeles moved Vogel up into the big chair by making him their new head coach.
Vogel arrives with NBA head coaching experience from stints with the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic. During eight seasons in the Association, he’s compiled a 595-304 record while winning coach of the month honors four times. He’s also been a head coach for 61 playoff games, going 31-30 during those contests. But he’s never had a challenge quite like helping LeBron get back into championship contention with a roster that lacks perimeter shooting along with a second All-Star. How he fares in his new position may rely more on what the Lakers are able to accomplish this offseason than anything he’s capable of drawing up on the sidelines.
