Lakers Expected To Fire Vogel As Head Coach After Upsetting Season; Who Are His Possible Replacements?

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a disappointing NBA season, with a 33-49 record, and head coach Frank Vogel takes most of the blame.

He has coached his final game against the Denver Nuggets, on Monday, as per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers management is expected to announce his dismissal, despite bringing a championship title to the franchise almost two years ago inside the Florida "bubble."

At the start of the season, the Lakers were favored to win the championship having a roster packed with future basketball Hall of Famers. Things did not go as expected, as problems of injuries and lack of chemistry happened along the way. Eventually, the team failed to make it to the playoffs and became the most disappointing team in NBA history.

When sports journalists asked Vogel if he would be retained, he answered that he had not received any word from the management and would "enjoy" the team's last regular-season game.

"We'll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow," he said.

Frank Vogel has coached his final game for the Lakers, a decision that’s expected to be shared with him as soon as Monday, sources tell ESPN. Lakers’ search expected to be lengthy and expansive with no clear initial frontrunner.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2022

What's Next for Vogel?

If the Lakers cut ties with Vogel, he will be one of the most pursued coaches on the market with his accomplishments of one championship and three conference finals, as per CBS Sports. If no team hires him as head coach this off-season, he can pursue an assistant coach role or take a year off, just like what he did when Orlando Magic fired him four years ago.

Since Phil Jackson retired in 2011, Vogel was the only Lakers head coach who won a championship for the team with his defensive prowess. The Lakers won the 2020 NBA title owing to their defense, and despite LeBron James and Anthony Davis' injuries, they ranked first in the league last season.

Usually, NBA teams do not fire coaches soon after winning a title, but the Lakers organization has a different tradition and standards-- it demands excellence to be consistent.

Who Is the Next Lakers' Head Coach?

However, sports analyst Chris Broussard believes that firing Frank Vogel "while justified" is not enough to help the Lakers to get back on their feet.

"Sometimes you just need a fresh start. Whoever the Los Angeles Lakers bring in has a lot more work to do. I think Rob Pelinka is sticking around. Their 3 priorities need to be: trade Russ, get AD a new training program & get some youth & athleticism to put around LeBron & AD," Brossard posted on his official Facebook page.

The direction of the team could go indefinable once Vogel is gone. However, there are rumored possible candidates to replace him in the role of Lakers head coach.

According to Sporting News, here are the coaches reportedly being considered by the Lakers management: