A cast of young Lakers may soon have a Kidd leading the way.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ search for a new head coach made its way to Jason Kidd, with ESPN reporting the former star NBA point guard and coaching flameout met with team general manager Rob Pelinka on Monday.
The meeting seemed inevitable after Kidd gushed over the franchise in March, and was labeled a “serious candidate” by ESPN.
“I think when you look at the Lakers as a whole, it’s a franchise that is one of the best in the world — not just in the NBA, but in the world,” Kidd told ESPN’s “The Jump” at the time. “So, if you ever have the opportunity to wear the purple and gold, you can’t turn that down, as a coach or as a player because they’re all about championships.”
A lot has changed since that overt display of affection.
Then-head coach Luke Walton is out after an amicable divorce, ending up with the Sacramento Kings shortly thereafter. Then-team president Magic Johnson shockingly stepped down, tweeting to his heart’s content. And Kidd’s alma mater, the University of California — once considered a potential landing spot — went with Mark Fox instead.
Kidd is vying with LeBron James’ ally Tyronn Lue and Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams for the job. Williams appears to be the most coveted of the bunch; the Suns on Monday fired Igor Kokoskov after only one year on the job in order to pursue the Sixers coach.
Meanwhile, Kidd, 46, will likely have to explain why he couldn’t turn the Milwaukee Bucks into the powerhouse they are today after four seasons. Kidd, who was fired by the Bucks midway through the 2017-18 season, also spent one season on the Brooklyn Nets’ sidelines in 2013-14.