Report: Vogel front-runner for Lakers job, with Kidd as assistant
The Los Angeles Lakers may be zeroing in on their new head coach.
Frank Vogel has emerged as the front-runner for the vacancy, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ohm Youngmisuk. The Lakers are reportedly planning to pair Vogel with Jason Kidd as an assistant coach. Los Angeles apparently insisted that Kidd has a role in any potential coaching staff.
L.A. has been searching for a new head coach since parting ways with Luke Walton last month. The organization appeared close to a deal earlier this week with Tyronn Lue but the former Cleveland Cavaliers bench boss reportedly declined a three-year contract offer, which ended negotiations.
Vogel has served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic. He spent five-and-a-half seasons with the Pacers, guiding them to a 304-291 regular-season record and five trips to the postseason, in which they reached the conference finals twice.
His time with the Orlando Magic wasn't as fruitful, however. He was fired following the 2017-18 campaign after going 54-110 in two seasons with the club.