Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis Expected to Play Bigger Role in Head Coaching Search Than LeBron James

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Paolo Songco | Last updated 5/15/24

Los Angeles Lakers news: The media has not failed to underscore the fact that LeBron James will play an undeniably integral role in the team’s search for their next head coach. After all, the four-time NBA champ has a couple more years left in him before his time is up, and for their part, you can be sure that the Lakers will do everything they can to help him win another title in the near future.

The Lakers front office, however, appears to be even more invested in what type of impact their new coach will have on Anthony Davis.

Los Angeles Lakers News: New Head Coach Will Feature in Post-LeBron Era

While the Lakers remain loyal to LeBron and his quest for championship No. 5, the front office also has one eye on what is to come after James calls time on his career. As such, one of the biggest considerations for the Lakers in terms of their new coach is how well he will fit with the squad once Davis takes over the helm in the post-LeBron era:

“The franchise’s next coach will be tasked with guiding both the end of the LeBron James–Anthony Davis era — potentially a two-year window — and then the next era of Lakers basketball led by Davis. Los Angeles is looking for a coach who can grow with the franchise for years to come, according to team and league sources, placing a premium on maximizing Davis’ greatness, the current returning players and the element of high-level player development.

“As one source briefed on the situation said, ‘This should be more of a hire about AD than LeBron,'” read the report.

This only means that the Lakers will be hiring a new coach who will be given an extended period to prove his worth. Of course, it’s still championship or bust for LA this coming season — as it is every year — but it appears that their new man at the helm will be on a longer leash.

Then again, with how high the expectations are in Hollywood, you can be sure that whoever takes over as the new head coach will perpetually be in the hot seat.