The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly are scheduled to interview former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins this week. Oklahoma City Thunder guard and former Laker Derek Fisher, meanwhile, is considered a "secondary option" for the Lakers' head coaching vacancy.
Hollins is a candidate to become the Lakers' next head coach and is expected to interview for the vacancy sometime this week, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
"Lionel Hollins has emerged as a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers' coaching job, league sources told Yahoo Sports," Wojnarowski wrote on Sunday. "Lakers management plans to interview Hollins later this week, league sources said."
Los Angeles has already interviewed Mike Dunleavy and Byron Scott. Wojnarowski called Hollins' candidacy "intriguing" because Hollins doesn't have a history with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak or the organization.
Hollins led Memphis to three straight playoff appearances before being fired last summer. He has the reputation of being a defensive-minded coach with a rigid style of leadership, which would likely appease the no-nonsense Kobe Bryant.
Another candidate reportedly drawing interest from the Lakers is Fisher, who won five NBA championships with the Lakers alongside Bryant. Fisher, though, isn't the Lakers' first choice, according to Wojnarowski.
"(Fisher is) a secondary candidate right now," Wojnarowski said on Thursday, via Fox Sports 1. "They want an experienced type coach."
Los Angeles would likely want to hire a coach before next month's NBA draft.
The Lakers are expected to be active in free agency, when they have the financial flexibility to pursue a big-name free agent such as Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. Trading for Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love is another option, although it's uncertain whether Minnesota would part with their All-Star for the Lakers' No. 7 draft pick.
