Ever since Luke Walton was hired as the new Los Angeles Lakers head coach, there has been questions regarding who he would choose to fill out his coaching staff with. One name that had continually popped up was former Lakers assistant, and Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw.
With the Lakers wanting to surround Walton with assistants who had head coaching experience, and Shaw being familiar with the Lakers from his time in L.A. as a player and assistant coach, the fit made perfect sense.
Shaw had been weighing his options, but according to Brad Turner of the LA Times, he and the Lakers are nearing a deal for him to become Walton’s lead assistant coach:
Brian Shaw and the Lakers are nearing a deal for him to become Luke Walton's lead assistant coach, according to several sources.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) May 21, 2016
This is great for both the Lakers and Walton. Shaw’s experiences will help Walton as he gets used to life as a head coach. It’s also beneficial that they will get Shaw on the staff before the NBA Draft as Shaw can now be a part of the Lakers’ pre-draft workouts while Walton finishes up his responsibilities with the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers were fortunate to keep the second overall pick meaning they will have the chance to draft either LSU’s Ben Simmons and Duke’s Brandon Ingram. The Lakers will soon be bringing in both for workouts and having Shaw there to witness everything up close will allow him to communicate everything with Walton.
With the lead assistant spot now seemingly filled, it should only be a matter of time before the remainder of the staff is known.