Lakers Rumors: Micah Nori, David Adelman Among HC Candidates amid Lue, Redick Buzz
May 11, 2024
As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to evaluate head-coaching candidates, two under-the-radar options have emerged as options alongside the marquee names of Tyronn Lue and JJ Redick.
On the latest episode of Buha's Block (starts at 9:15 mark), The Athletic's Jovan Buha cited Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman as possibly the top two choices for the Lakers if they decide to hire a current assistant.
On the May 6 episode of FanDuel TV's Run It Back, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium cited several candidates being considered by the Lakers, including Lue and Redick.
Run It Back @RunItBackFDTV"The top candidates, Mike Budenholzer, former championship head coach of the Bucks—Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick, Charles Lee, and Ty Lue is really the big name if he's available."<a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShamsCharania</a> updates on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lakers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lakers</a> search for a new head coach 👀<br><br>📺: <a href="https://t.co/oxMs3CAEGu">https://t.co/oxMs3CAEGu</a> <a href="https://t.co/TBppPVWjXz">pic.twitter.com/TBppPVWjXz</a>
All indications are the Lakers are going to take their time with this hiring after firing Darvin Ham on May 3.
Buha said the process could take "six to seven weeks" with the goal to have a coach in place prior to the draft. Some of the reason for the delay could simply be the availability of the candidates.
Nori and Adelman are on teams still in the postseason, so bringing them in for interviews could be tricky. There are exceptions depending on the circumstances.
Boston Celtics assistant Charles Lee, who was on the Lakers' radar, was hired by the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. He will officially take over after Boston's playoff run ends.
Lee isn't the only candidate the Lakers had interest in who is off the board now. Mike Budenholzer agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal with the Phoenix Suns on Friday, per Charania.
Nori has been an assistant in the league since 2009. He is in his third season with the Timberwolves after previously working for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Nuggets and Detroit Pistons.
Adelman, son of former NBA player and coach Rick Adelman, is in his seventh season as an assistant in Denver. He began his NBA coaching career on his father's staff with the Timberwolves in 2011 working in player development.
After leaving the T-Wolves in the summer of 2016, Adelman spent the 2016-17 season as an assistant on Frank Vogel's staff with the Orlando Magic.
It makes sense the Lakers would want to take their time to ensure they get this hiring right. Since Phil Jackson retired after the 2010-11 season, they have had seven different head coaches, including Bernie Bickerstaff's five-game stint as interim coach in 2011-12.
None of the Lakers' coaches during this span has lasted more than three seasons. Vogel and Luke Walton are the only ones who made it to a third season.