Coaching rumors surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers have been moving furiously since the team decided to fire Byron Scott. Among the numerous candidates rumored as possibilities for the position, Warriors assistant Luke Walton and Spurs assistant Ettore Messina seem to be emerging as favorites.
Both candidates are familiar with the franchise as Walton won two championships as a player while Messina served as on Mike Brown’s Lakers staff in 2011.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Walton seems to be who the Lakers would prefer, but if they can’t get him to leave Golden State, Messina would get a serious look:
NBA coaching scuttle: Hearing Ettore Messina will get a very legit look from the Lakers if they can't lure Luke Walton out of Golden State.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 27, 2016
Stein notes that the Lakers’ are familiar with Messina and his time with the Spurs increases his appeal:
The Lakers already know the European coaching legend's work after Messina's stint as a Lakers assistant and now he's got Spurs appeal, too
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 27, 2016
Messina is probably the least known of all the potential candidates, but he’s arguably the most accomplished as a four-time Euroleague Champion and two-time Euroleague Coach of the Year. Walton, meanwhile, has been on the radar of Lakers fans since he led the Warriors to a 39-4 start while Steve Kerr was recovering from surgery.
Both candidates seem like great hires and would bring a new voice into the Lakers organization. The Lakers reportedly want someone who can be great during recruiting pitches to free agents as well and if the team’s new coach can help attract a star player to L.A. it would be an even better summer than anyone could imagine.