Update: After interviewing with the Los Angeles Lakers for a potential role on their staff, Scott Brooks is reportedly being hired as the top assistant for Chauncey Billups and the Portland Trail Blazers. Of note, current Lakers assistant Lionel Hollins was reportedly in consideration for the same position. It’s not clear whether Hollins could steal leave LA for a different position. At the moment, the Lakers have the maximum three assistants that can sit on the front bench between Hollins, David Fizdale, and Phil Handy but they can hire as many “other” assistants as they want. It’s not clear if Brooks was only interviewed in the event that Hollins left the Lakers or if the organization is going to look for additional help regardless.
Original Story Follows:
The Los Angeles Lakers are making some big changes to their coaching staff this summer. After Jason Kidd left the organization to take on a new role as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, the team hired former Grizzlies and Knicks head coach David Fizdale to take his spot. It appears Fizdale may not be the only new addition to Frank Vogel’s staff.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Lakers have also interviewed former Oklahoma City Thunder and Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks for a position on the bench.
Brooks was let go by the Wizards earlier this summer after five seasons in Washington where he amassed a 183-207 record. Before that, Brooks spent seven seasons in Oklahoma City where he led the Thunder – at times with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook – to a 338-207 record.
Brooks has also previously held assistant coaching positions for the Nuggets, Kings and Sonics/Thunder.
It’s unclear right now whether Brooks would be replacing another assistant coach (perhaps one following Kidd to Dallas) or if the Lakers are simply expanding the size of their staff. Experienced head coaches have seemingly been the Lakers’ top targets for assistant coaching positions with Lionel Hollins being another key voice in the locker room.
Brooks has previously coached Lakers free agent Markieff Morris on the Wizards.
