Lakers talk to George Karl, reached out to Larry Brown, Scott Skiles

January 6, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl talks with actor Jack Nicholson before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
January 6, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl talks with actor Jack Nicholson before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Lakers still are considered one of the most high-profile jobs in the NBA and, according to Ramona Shelbourne and Marc Stein of ESPN, the Lakers have contacted one of the most high profile targets on the coaching market in George Karl, while also reaching out to former NBA coaches Larry Brown and Scott Skiles.

"The Lakers — who have interviewed coaching veterans Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry, Lionel Hollins and Mike Dunleavy, in addition to discussions with former Lakers player and coach Kurt Rambis and ESPN analyst George Karl — are not yet locked into one candidate. The Lakers, sources add, have also internally discussed reaching out to Scott Skiles and former NBA championship-winning coach Larry Brown, who has spent the past two seasons in the college game at SMU."

The Lakers, as stated above, have reached out to a handful of candidates already, the latest of being Karl. Karl last appeared in the NBA as head coach of the Denver Nuggets from 2005-2013. In that time, he reached the playoffs in every season, making it to the Conference Finals in 2008-09, losing to the Lakers themselves as they were en route to a title.

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Karl is certainly the most accomplished candidate the Lakers have interviewed this off-season. He has been on the sideline for nearly 1,900 games, making him one of the most storied coaches in the league in general. On top of interviewing Karl, the Lakers have reached out to NBA legend Larry Brown and former Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles. Neither of the latter coached in the league last year.

Mitch Kupchak stated earlier in the off-season that he plans on having a coach by the NBA Draft, which is set June 26. The Lakers have the 7th pick in the draft.