The Phoenix Suns reportedly view current Lakers head coach Luke Walton as a "top potential replacement" if Igor Kokoskov is fired at the end of this season, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News.
In addition to the Suns, Deveney reports that the Cleveland Cavaliers might also have interest in Walton if they cut ties with Larry Drew. Walton, who will almost certainly be fired by the Lakers, coached the team to a 35-47 record last season and the team is currently sitting at 31-37.
Yahoo Sports' NBA Insider Chris Haynes believes that LeBron's former coach and former Lakers guard, Tyronn Lue, is an obvious candidate to replace Walton.
Haynes was a guest on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" earlier this month, when he briefly discussed the state of the Lakers (H/T Clutch Points).
Cowherd: “…Well, I mean, I will say this, and I’m not going to blame anybody for this. But I have a source who I trust and I think it’s 10% Luke Walton is the coach next year and 90% he’s not. I’ll say that, you react to it…it would take getting into the playoffs, knocking off a Denver, it would take things I don’t think this club is capable of.
Haynes: “I wouldn’t dismiss that.”
Cowherd: “If I said there’s another coach out there…do you have in mind another coach for the Lakers next year?
Haynes: “Well, obviously Tyronn Lue. I mean, LeBron James, the day Lue got fired LeBron James put a tweet out supporting him. ‘You know how to contact me if you need me.'”
