Sources: UM’s Howard declines Lakers’ interest

College of Michigan coach Juwan Howard lately declined a Los Angeles Lakers overture for the franchise’s teaching job, electing to stay at his alma mater, the place Howard will coach his two sons subsequent season, sources instructed ESPN.

The Lakers have a proper search course of in place, however courting school coaches sometimes requires a distinct degree of discretion. The Lakers have a finalist checklist of Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and former Portland Path Blazers coach Terry Stotts, sources mentioned. The Lakers are anticipated to conduct in-person interviews within the close to future.

The Lakers by no means made a proper provide to Howard, sources mentioned, however it’s clear that if he had expressed an curiosity within the job, his candidacy would’ve moved shortly to that stage. Whereas Howard has a enjoying historical past with Lakers basic supervisor Rob Pelinka and star LeBron James, he has persistently maintained he plans to stay in Ann Arbor, the place his sons Jace and Jett will probably be a junior and freshman, respectively, subsequent season.

Howard interviewed for the Los Angeles job as a Miami Warmth assistant coach in 2019, earlier than accepting the head-coaching job at Michigan. Howard’s success within the school ranks — alongside along with his résumé as a six-year Warmth assistant and a two-time NBA champion as a participant — has impressed vital curiosity in him amongst NBA groups.

Boston Celtics president Brad Stevens was excited about Howard for his teaching opening a 12 months in the past, however Howard declined that overture too, sources mentioned. The Celtics employed Brooklyn Nets assistant Ime Udoka.

Like Howard, Ham is one other ex-player with sturdy management, presence, successful expertise and tactical understanding from previous work with high-level head coaches. Ham can also be a powerful candidate for the Charlotte Hornets’ head-coach opening, sources mentioned. Ham labored with Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak as a Lakers assistant coach a decade in the past.

Stotts and Atkinson each convey with them earlier NBA head-coaching expertise.

Stotts most lately coached the Blazers from 2012 to 2021 and reached the playoffs in his ultimate eight consecutive seasons on the job — together with two journeys to the Western Convention semifinals and a berth within the convention finals in 2019. He’s identified for his offensive creativity and a capability to construct relationships along with his star gamers.

Atkinson constructed a popularity for participant growth as each an assistant and head coach within the NBA. He spent three-plus years as head coach of the Nets, whom he led to a playoff look in his third season in 2018-19.

Howard is 93-61 in three seasons at Michigan and was named nationwide coach of the 12 months in 2021. His time with the Wolverines has included top-five ballot rankings in all three years, a Huge Ten regular-season title and two journeys to the NCAA match.