NBA Rumors: Lakers Head Coaching Search Down To Experience Or LeBron Relationship

The search for the next Los Angeles Lakers head coach continues with Juwan Howard being the latest one to be interviewed for the position. Out of the four head coaches so far, Howard is the one who holds no head coaching experience. However, he does have ties with LeBron James.

James and Howard were teammates when both suited up for the Miami Heat from the 2011-13 NBA seasons. And as far as what the 46-year-old has to offer, it looks like he mustered just enough to make an impression, The Los Angeles Times reported. So it all now depends on whether that would be enough to catapult the former 5th overall pick of the 1994 NBA Draft to the top of the list.

So far, the Lakers have interviewed Tyronn Lue, Monty Williams and Jason Kidd as well. Lue and Williams are considered to be the favorites to land the position. However, that was before word came out that Howard also impressed the Lakers top honchos.

Of the four coaching candidates, Kidd is seen as the one who may likely have the lowest chance of earning the Lakers nod, Lakers Nation reported. Hence, it all now boils down again to where Los Angeles would place weight - a coach's relationship with James or someone who has a good track record. The answer to that remains unknown.

There is no specific timetable given on when the Lakers would decide on who among Lue, Williams, Howard, and Kidd will be their guy. It seems Los Angeles is carefully evaluating all candidates and making sure they get the right one. But of course, there are plenty of things tied up to that.

One is the players that will make up the Lakers next NBA season. Aside from James, only the young guns like Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, and even the indisposed Brandon Ingram seem to have the inside track. Most of the short-term veteran recruits are likely to move on unless the next head coach wants them in tow next season. As one can see, a lot falls on who will be at the coaching helm.

Also worth taking into consideration is whether the Lakers have included James in the discussions. Most feel that the three-time NBA MVP may have an influence on the decision - a reason why Howard and Lue are favorites in the head coaching search.