Report: Lakers to not pursue Steve Kerr

While Steve Kerr has been said to be interested in the vacant head coaching job for the Los Angeles Lakers, the feeling may not be mutual according to the New York Post:

"Steve Kerr, the overwhelming favorite to be the next Knicks coach, is not on the Lakers’ candidate list, according to an NBA source. The Lakers believe Kerr is too far along in the process of joining Phil Jackson’s Knicks. The Lakers president is Jeanie Buss, Jackson’s fiancee."

Some are confused by the love fest surrounding Steve Kerr. He’s an unproven candidate, but with retread head coaches impressing the masses last season — Jeff Hornacek, Brad Stevens, and Steve Clifford being some that come to mind — Kerr looks to be the next guy of that caliber.

Kerr’s name only began to pop up when Phil Jackson accepted a job with the New York Knicks. Being a previous player under Jackson with the Chicago Bulls, the connection seemed perfect, especially considering Kerr could implement Jackson’s famed “triangle offense” without much needed help from the man upstairs.

This has likely kept teams away from Kerr as the post states the Lakers have. Reports have noted that Kerr will be offered the job sometime during the second round, so instead of wasting time surveying a coach that’s already nabbed, teams like the Lakers will look elsewhere to find their next head coach.

At this point, there’s no clear direction the Lakers are headed in for their coaching search. They’ve been rumored to be connected with proven veterans such as Byron Scott or Kurt Rambis and some new blood such as the University of Connecticut’s Kevin Ollie. Whoever they choose will be forced to deal with incredulous circumstances as many fans hope for contention next season despite the odds being against their favor.