Add another name to the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching search.
Former New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher has interest in the job, sources indicated to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Fisher was fired by the Knicks in February after the team went 23-31 to start the season. Over one and a half seasons in New York, he compiled an overall record of 40-96.
Fisher’s longtime playing career in Los Angeles is a draw for the Lakers, who like to keep things in the family, so to speak. He’s also young, which is what the team is looking for in its next head coach, someone to connect with the young core of players they have.
But like any coaching search, the Lakers will do their due diligence before making a decision.
Among the candidates the team will look at are Luke Walton, Kevin Ollie, Jay Wright, Roy Williams, Tom Izzo, John Calipari, Ettore Messina, Jeff Van Gundy and David Blatt, sources told Shelburne.
Walton, the top assistant of the Golden State Warriors, is “an obvious choice” for the Lakers, according to Chris Mannix of The Vertical. He played most of his career in Los Angeles.
As of right now, Walton is probably the top choice, but keep an eye on Fisher.
