With the news coming out that the Lakers are moving on from head coach Byron Scott, the attention has quickly turned to who might replace him. The Lakers are reportedly going to compile a long list of potential candidates so it could be some time before they come to a decision.
The man many fans have been talking about is former Lakers player and current Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton. However, another former Lakers player could get a look too, in former New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Fisher has interest in the Lakers job:
Sources indicate Derek Fisher has interest in the Lakers job. Obviously Laker front office still compiling their list and gauging interest from potential candidates after Byron Scott wasn’t retained Sunday night.
Fisher’s time in New York under Phil Jackson didn’t go as well as they had hoped. Fisher went only 40-96 with the Knicks including 17-65 in his only full season with the team. There were rumors of issues between Fisher and Jackson over Fisher’s usage of the triangle offense.
Whether Fisher is the best person for the job remains to be seen. The Lakers love to keep things in the ‘Laker family’ and Fisher fits that bill, but he will be one of many potential candidates for the job including Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Ettore Messina, and Kevin Ollie.
The Lakers will do their due diligence in finding the right man for the job as the team can not afford to miss again on this next coaching hire.