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The Los Angeles Lakers are going to interview Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson for the team’s head coaching vacancy, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Atkinson has also interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets opening.
ESPN Sources: The Los Angeles Lakers have received permission to interview Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson for the franchise’s head coaching job. Atkinson has already interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets’ job.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 12, 2022
Atkinson has previous head coaching experience, as he oversaw the Brooklyn Nets from 2016-20. The team went 118-190 under Atkinson, but he did not have Kevin Durant for one of those seasons as the star was recovering from his Achilles injury. He also did not have Kyrie Irving for parts of that same season. Atkinson was seen as a strong developmental coach for the Nets’ young core, but reportedly did not mesh well with the superstars. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for the Lakers, especially since LeBron James and Anthony Davis will have a say in the team’s next coach.
The Lakers have also spoken to Mark Jackson and Terry Stotts for the vacancy, among other candidates.