Home Basketball According to Shams, in LeBron James’ ideal scenario, Kyrie Irving would serve as point guard and Ty Lue would be head coach for the Lakers

According to Shams, in LeBron James’ ideal scenario, Kyrie Irving would serve as point guard and Ty Lue would be head coach for the Lakers

Basketball — 05/22/2024

In their quest for a new head coach, the Los Angeles Lakers are prioritizing the goal of ensuring LeBron James’ satisfaction. Shams Charania, speaking on Up & Adams, highlighted the Lakers’ missed opportunities to structure the team around James with familiar faces, leading to their current predicament.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Charania noted that there were specific preferences from LeBron James, envisioning a scenario where Ty Lue would assume the role of head coach and Kyrie Irving would serve as point guard in an ideal world. According to Charania, this alignment would have eliminated the need for a coaching search altogether.

James previously collaborated with Lue as his coach and teamed up with Irving during their time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, culminating in the 2016 NBA championship victory. However, Irving departed the team a year later, seeking to establish himself outside of James’ shadow, though both players have shown openness to reuniting in recent years.

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Charania highlighted that the Lakers engaged in negotiations with Lue back in 2019 but ultimately opted not to hire him as their head coach. Lue served as an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers that season before assuming the role of head coach in 2020. Additionally, Charania mentioned that the Lakers made “two attempts” to acquire Irving in recent years, but the point guard chose to stay with the Dallas Mavericks during the previous offseason.

 

While James could potentially exert significant influence on the Lakers’ head coaching search, it appears that he has deferred to the decision-making of the front office.

“The last thing you want if you’re LeBron James… is the hire, whether it works well or doesn’t work well, to be falling on you,” Charania remarked.

As James nears the twilight of his illustrious career, it becomes crucial for the Lakers to prioritize his satisfaction by appointing a head coach capable of leading the team to contention for another championship.