Lakers Rumors: No.1 Head Coaching Candidate Getting Second Interview With Phoenix Suns, Team Owner

The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t played a basketball game for weeks, but they appear to be currently embroiled in a serious competition of their own. As L.A. pursues Monty Williams to potentially become their next head coach, the Phoenix Suns are also chasing the current Philadelphia 76ers’ assistant coach.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Williams will get a second interview for Phoenix’s head coaching vacancy this week. The meeting will reportedly include Suns’ owner Robert Sarver, indicating the team is serious about hiring the candidate.

The Lakers might have an equal interest in offering Williams a contract. Shortly after it became known that Williams, Tyronn Lue and Juwan Howard would get interviews with Los Angeles, it was reported that Williams was the team’s No.1 choice to replace Luke Walton. That notion was only furthered last week amid the report that Lakers’ owner Jeanie Buss would be involved in the organization's second meeting with Williams.

Lue also reportedly secured a second meeting with the Lakers. He’s viewed as a viable candidate in large part because of his relationship with LeBron James.

Before the 2019 NBA playoffs are over, Willaims could have his choice of several head coaching jobs. The Lakers and Suns might both offer him their respective gigs. There’s even speculation that Williams will get a shot at becoming the 76ers’ next head coach if Philadelphia loses its second-round series to the Toronto Raptors.

Los Angeles could give Williams a chance to compete for a championship right away. While the Lakers didn’t reach the postseason, they arguably still have the best basketball player in the world on their roster. L.A. also has enough cap space to sign another star player to a max contract this offseason.

Phoenix probably won’t be in title contention for at least another few seasons. They do have an array of young players, led by Devin Booker and last year’s No.1 overall draft pick Deandre Ayton. The Suns are guaranteed to have a high selection in the 2019 NBA Draft, and they’ve got as good of a chance as anyone to land Zion Williamson.

If Brett Brown gets fired, Williams might prefer the 76ers’ job over both the Lakers and Suns. Philadelphia has two young stars in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons with a chance to retain two borderline All-Stars in Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. The 76ers are in the playoffs for a second straight year, while the Lakers and Suns have both missed the postseason for several consecutive seasons.

Williams was the New Orleans Pelicans’ head coach from 2010-2015.