Early favorite emerges for top job in Los Angeles

The Lakers are in the market for a new head coach, and an early favorite for the job has emerged. 

Former Bucks and Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer is the most likely successor to Darvin Ham, who was fired by the Lakers this week after a first-round exit at the hands of the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, according to oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook. 

Budenholzer, who led Milwaukee to the 2021 NBA title, was one of several coaches mentioned by The Athletic as possible candidates for the position after Ham’s dismissal. 

FanDuel has four coaches with odds better than 6/1 trailing Budenholzer, indicating that the race for the top job in LA is wide open. 

Warriors assistant and former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson, who has been considered for several head coach positions since leaving Brooklyn in 2020, has the second-best odds (+420). 

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, who coached LeBron James in Cleveland and remains close with the superstar, is sitting at +460. 

Hours before the Clippers were eliminated by the Mavericks on Friday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the team was looking to give Lue a contract extension. 

Lue said after the game that he “would love to be [with the Clippers] long term.”

He’s closely trailed by former Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts (+500), who stepped down from an assistant coach position with the Bucks earlier this season after butting heads with then-head coach Adrian Griffin, and ESPN broadcaster J.J. Redick (+550).

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Redick has been connected to the Hornets’ coaching vacancy and recently launched the “Mind the Game” podcast with James.   

There are questions as to what the Lakers’ roster will look like come the 2024-25 season. 

With a $51 million option for next season, James’ future in LA is up in the air as he seeks his fifth career NBA championship and waits to see his son Bronny’s fate in June’s draft.