Lakers Keeping Fingers Crossed On Availability Of Veteran Champion Coach

The Los Angeles Lakers continue their coaching search with several names already being floated.

However, it appears that there are also long-shot candidates in the mix–including Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers.

This is despite Sixers president Daryl Morey insisting that Rivers will be back to call the shots for Philly next season.

“Suspicions persist in league coaching circles that the Lakers have not completely abandoned hope that Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers becomes unexpectedly available—despite the recent insistence from Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey that Rivers will be back in Philly next season,” NBA insider Marc Stein wrote.

There have been calls by fans for Rivers to be fired after failing to lead the team to the NBA Finals for the second-straight season.

The one-time NBA champion coach has three years left in his current pact with Philly, including $24 million in guaranteed money.

The only plausible scenario is seen for Rivers to consider a change of scenery if he gets a better compensation package with more years attached to it.

As things stand now, seeing that happen is anyone’s guess.

Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson is reportedly helping in the coaching search of Lakers’ management.

It remains to be seen if more names will be tossed in the mix, a move that would likely dictate who stays and who goes.