Lakers coaching target likely to sign extension with current team

The Lakers reportedly have Mavericks' Jason Kidd on their shortlist of candidates after they fired Darvin Ham. However, the Hall of Famer can effectively be ruled out of contention.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Kidd, with a year left on his contract, is expected to sign an extension with the Mavericks this offseason.

"League sources say Kidd is also the likely recipient of a contract extension in the near future, having led Dallas to two 50-win seasons and three playoff series wins in four attempts in his three seasons as Mavericks coach," Stein wrote in his Substack on Sunday.

Stein added that the Lakers "don't anticipate Kidd becoming a coaching free agent" any more than they expect to have a shot at Clippers' Tyronn Lue, another coach on their reported shortlist. 

After the Clippers suffered a first-round playoff exit, Lue clarified that he hopes to continue coaching the Lakers' crosstown rivals next season and beyond.

"I hope so," Lue said when asked if he expects to remain with the Clippers. "I didn't come here to bounce around and go all over the place. This is where I want to be, and hopefully, they feel the same way."

With Kidd and Lue likely staying with their respective teams, the Lakers could turn their attention to Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson and Terry Stotts, all of whom have been earmarked as potential candidates. Even ESPN analyst JJ Redick is reportedly in the running for the job. 

The Lakers are widely expected to name their new head coach ahead of next month's NBA Draft.