“LeBron isn’t a superstar anymore” - George Karl berates LeBron James after early playoff doom, gives Lakers coaching search advice
The LA Lakers continue their coaching search, with many prominent up-and-coming candidates reportedly in the mix to shepherd LeBron James and Co. However, according to Hall of Fame coach George Karl, LA must temper its NBA championship expectations before filling its coaching vacancy.
The Lakers are coming off a seventh-placed (47-35) Western Conference finish and a 4-1 first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. Nonetheless, the organization appears committed to building a title-contending roster around James and his co-star Anthony Davis.
On Thursday, Karl touched on LA's outlook on X/Twitter. He noted that as long as it continues treating James and Davis like superstar-caliber players, it will keep experiencing high coaching turnover.
So, the 73-year-old advised the Lakers' front office to be realistic about its team's championship-contending chances to ensure it selects the right long-term coaching fit.
"I’ll give the Lakers' coaching search committee free advice today. LeBron isn’t a superstar anymore and AD will never be one," Karl said "Now, be sure to use those truths when evaluating candidates and you might select someone you keep for longer than two seasons."
LA has cycled through three coaches since signing LeBron James in 2018 free agency, with its next coaching hire slated to be its fourth. The Lakers even fired 2020 title-winning coach Frank Vogel in 2022, two years after he guided the franchise to its record-tying 17th championship.
So, LA is expected to take time to ensure it chooses a suitable long-term coach.
Notably, James has a $51.4 million player option for next season that he is projected to opt out of to become a free agent this offseason. So, LA's coaching hire could play a prominent role in the four-time MVP's free agency decision.
However, as Karl highlighted, while still an All-Star-level player, James, 39, isn't as dominant as he was in his prime. Meanwhile, Davis, 31, hasn't experienced extensive success as a clear-cut No. 1 option.
So, the Lakers may soon be forced to transition into a post-James era and begin searching for the next superstar to lead their championship pursuit.
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Channing Frye cautions first-time coaching candidates about coaching LeBron James-led Lakers
While the Lakers' coaching search is still in its beginning stages, former NBA sharpshooter-turned-ESPN analyst JJ Redick is considered the early frontrunner. However, according to LeBron James' former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Channing Frye, first-time coaching candidates like Redick should be cautious of pursuing the position.
NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported that LA's coaching job "might well be [Redick's] to lose in the interview process." The former 15-year veteran is considered one of the league's brightest analytical basketball minds and is connected to James via their "Mind the Game" podcast.
However, Redick has no NBA coaching experience. So, Frye is skeptical about the prospects of an inexperienced coach successfully guiding LA's veteran-laden roster.
“I think it’s a death sentence. I think he’s jumping on a grenade," Frye said on NBA TV.
"... To me, you need to bring in somebody who's gonna command that locker room and who's gonna say, 'Bron, I understand what you wanna do, but this is my vision for the roster that we have.' ... So, as a first-year coach, I wouldn’t recommend that job for anybody.”
It remains to be seen if the Lakers will roll the dice on Redick or another first-time coach. Regardless, whoever they choose will likely face immense expectations in Year 1.
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