With almost six weeks left until the start of training camp, the Lakers are beginning to finalize their coaching staff. In April, the Lakers made a big splash by hiring Luke Walton. Since then, they have been slowly surrounding Walton’s staff with personnel that would fit his system. Today, Shams Charania of The Vertical reported that the L.A. D-Fenders, the developmental team of the Lakers, hired Coby Karl to head coach position.
Sources: Lakers are hiring Coby Karl, son of George Karl, as head coach of the L.A. D-Fenders in D-League. Karl was Westchester assistant.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 17, 2016
This hire came because the previous head coach, Casey Owens, has been added to the Lakers’ coaching staff. According to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, Owens was promoted to an assistant coach and advance scout for the Lakers.
Was able to confirm that @CaseyOwens71 – formerly head coach of @DFenders – was promoted to assistant coach & advance scout w/@Lakers
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 18, 2016
Owens led the D-Fenders to one of their best seasons last year. The D-Fenders made to D-League finals and were one game away from winning it all. They ended up losing the series 2-1.
It is not a surprised to see Owens promoted to the Lakers’ coaching staff. He spent time with them during the summer league as an assistant in Las Vegas last month. The Lakers are building a coaching staff that emphasizes a fun basketball culture, and Owens seems to be the perfect guy for that.
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