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Amid the LA Lakers' wide-ranging coaching search, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon has seemingly been excluded from consideration. However, on Monday, the idea of LA making history by hiring Hammon surfaced on X/Twitter, dividing Lakers fans.
LA's reported coaching candidates list primarily comprises prominent up-and-coming NBA assistant coaches, including Sam Cassell, Micah Nori and David Adelman. However, according to Lakers insider Anthony F. Irwin, former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick, who has no NBA coaching experience, is considered the "frontrunner."
The news has left some LA fans questioning why the franchise isn't considering more proven candidates, including Hammon. While Hammon has no NBA head coaching experience, she served as an assistant under legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich from 2014 to 2022.
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The six-time WNBA All-Star has since experienced extensive success as the Aces' head coach, guiding the franchise to back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
On Monday, the Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll brought attention to the prospects of Hammon coaching LA. The outlet asked fans on X if the Lakers should be targeting the 47-year-old.
Some fans vehemently opposed the idea of LA becoming the first team to hire a female head coach, noting that it could cause an unwanted distraction.
"You can’t be serious," @JBoogie2494 said.
"Lakers aren’t the place for it. The attention placed on her and the criticism would be a lot. We already get enough attention. Every move she does would be under a microscope," @sancho_villa81 said.
"Plenty of drama [in the] Lakers organization already," @Edufii said.
However, others were open to Becky Hammon shepherding the Lakers, citing her experience edge over Redick.
"Now, this is the best option I’ve seen so far. Championship coach pedigree!" @ProfessorMiles3 said.
"She has more experience than JJ Redick," @kobewldvplayed said.
"Rather have her than JJ," @Sportshabit20 said.
Becky Hammon may not be interested in Lakers' coaching position
While Lakers fans are divided on hiring Becky Hammon, it's unclear if she would even be interested in coaching LA.
In an interview with "Time" last year, Hammon expressed contentment with her situation with the Aces. She added that she is no longer pursuing an NBA head coaching gig.
"My happiness is most important," Hammon said. “I love being here. I love being back on the women’s side. I don’t need the stamp of approval from the NBA.”
Becky Hammon is the first coach to lead a WNBA team to repeat championships in 21 years. The Aces are also coming off a historic 34-6 regular-season record last year and have started this season 2-0. So, Hammon seemingly has considerable job security.
In contrast, the Lakers have experienced high coaching turnover in recent years. They are searching for their fourth head coach of the LeBron James era, which began in 2018. Meanwhile, their future is in question, as they have an aging roster coming off a seventh-placed Western Conference finish (47-35) and first-round playoff exit.
Thus, given her current situation, the immense pressure of attempting to restore LA to prominence may not be too enticing to Hammon.
