Lakers Rumors: LeBron James Would Approve If Los Angeles Hires Warriors’ Former Coach

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to have a lengthy search for their next head coach. If the team asks for LeBron James’ input, L.A. could potentially find Frank Vogel’s replacement in the broadcast booth.

According to The Athletic, James would be “very enthused” by the possibility of Mark Jackson becoming the Lakers’ next head coach. Jackson was the Golden State Warriors' head coach from 2011 to 2014. Jackson has not coached since and returned to broadcasting.

James might not have any say in the Lakers’ coaching search. That seemed to be the case in 2019 when Los Angeles fired Luke Walton and hired Vogel to be the coach in James’ second season with L.A. James reportedly preferred Ty Lue or Jason Kidd, both of whom are head coaches elsewhere.

The Lakers have been known to listen to James when it comes to player personnel. James reportedly pushed for Los Angeles to trade for Russell Westbrook in the offseason. The Lakers, however, refused to make any moves at the February trade deadline when James tried to nudge the organization to do so.

James has one year left on his contract.

Jackson had a winning record in Golden State, going 121-109 in three seasons. The Warriors won a playoff series in 2013 and pushed the Los Angeles Clippers to seven games in the first round of the 2014 playoffs. In the season after Jackson was fired and replaced by Steve Kerr, Golden State won the first of three championships in a four-year span.

There is a belief that Golden State became a perennial championship contender in part because Jackson left the team. Jackson has been a broadcaster for ESPN since he coached the Warriors.

Jackson’s name has been linked to other job openings in recent seasons. The Sacramento Kings will consider Jackson in their coaching search, ESPN reports.

Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder and Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers have been viewed as potential candidates for the Lakers’ open job. There are rumors that the Lakers will pursue Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse, though he isn’t expected to go to Los Angeles.