Lakers set to interview Warriors’ Kenny Atkinson for head coach post

Kenny Atkinson is expected to be interviewed for the role of head coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. Atkinson is currently working as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, who remain immersed in the postseason. He has been given the go-ahead to talk to the Lakers about their coaching vacancy, according to widespread reports. He is best known for his efforts as a developmental coach, working under Mike Budenholzer during three seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.

Candidates for the Lakers’ job

The Lakers fired Frank Vogel after missing out on the playoffs and have since been linked with Atkinson’s Warriors colleague Mike Brown, former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts, Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham and Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. Former Warriors head coach Mark Jackson is another reputedly under consideration. Brown has since accepted an offer to become head coach of the Sacramento Kings, ruling him out of the running.

Former Brooklyn Nets head coach Atkinson had a spell in Los Angeles as assistant with the Clippers in the 2020-21 season before taking up his current post with Golden State. The 54-year-old had a 118-190 record across his four seasons with the Nets, and they reached the postseason only once in that time, losing in the first round to the Philadelphia 76ers.

In a disappointing 2021-22 season, the Lakers finished with a 33-49 record to miss out on the playoffs, two years after landing an NBA championship, despite having big name stars such as LeBron James and Russell Westbrook on their roster.