Jason Kidd unintentionally may have speeded up the Los Angeles Lakers' coaching search.
As Kidd finalized a deal to leave the Brooklyn Nets to coach the Milwaukee Bucks, former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has become the front-runner for the suddenly vacant Nets position, USA TODAY Sports reported.
The problem for the Lakers is that Hollins is one of their top candidates to replace Mike D'Antoni as their coach and thought they had ample time to assess their options.
With Hollins now rumored for a head coaching job elsewhere, the Lakers are scrambling to set up another meeting with Hollins about their vacancy, USA TODAY Sports reported in another article:
Lakers contact Lionel Hollins, Alvin Gentry about coaching vacancy, conveying a lack of plan?
"According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Lakers have shown an interest in meeting with Hollins or his representatives later this week," USA TODAY Sports indicated. "While the details have yet to be worked out, it's clear that Hollins remains a viable candidate in what has been the most unique of coaching searches. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the process.
"While the Lakers parted ways with former coach Mike D'Antoni May 1, they left their coaching position vacant in large part because of the free agency factor that they wanted to keep fluid leading up to the July 1 start date."
Former Laker Byron Scott, who also has prior head coaching experience, widely has been regarded as the leader to get the Lakers' job and cannot be happy with the latest turn of events.
USA TODAY Sports added that Hollins is expected to meet with Nets officials within the next two days. At the very least, he should be thankful for the Lakers' renewed interest because he now has some leverage.
The Lakers are trying to find out which free agents have an interest in coming to play in Staples Center, which has delayed their search for a new coach.
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