The Los Angeles Lakers are on the hunt for a new head coach following the dismissal of Darvin Ham, who couldn’t lead them past the opening round of this season’s playoffs.
General Manager Rob Pelinka is set to embark on a thorough search for the next head coach, aiming to find someone capable of steering the team toward a championship.
Former Lakers head coach Byron Scott has suggested an unconventional solution: appointing LeBron James as a player-coach. Scott argues that James’ influence within the Lakers organization, both on and off the court, makes him a natural fit for the coaching role.
Scott contends that James possesses the necessary authority, experience, and basketball knowledge to thrive as an NBA head coach while still actively playing. This arrangement could also empower Anthony Davis to assume a greater leadership role within the team.
"The only person LeBron is going to trust is himself."
— @official_bscott pic.twitter.com/hCoqabF6be
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 8, 2024
While appointing James as head coach would be a bold move, it could be the Lakers’ best option given the limited availability of elite coaching talent. However, such a decision would require James’ willingness to embrace a significant shift in his role, potentially marking the beginning of the end of his playing career.
While Scott’s proposal may seem unconventional, it presents a viable option for the Lakers given their current circumstances and the scarcity of top coaching candidates.
