According to Stephen A. Smith, the Lakers new head coach, Frank Vogel, won't be around for much longer. Saturday it was announced that Vogel inked a three-year deal with the West Coast squad while Jason Kidd would be assuming a "prominent assistant coaching role" according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Lakers organization reportedly insisted on having Kidd join whoever their next head coach is, which would eventually lead to a struggle in negotiations between leadership and potential candidate Tyronn Lue. Ultimately, it was Vogel who agreed to the stipulations, but Stephen A. Smith believes this choice to be a "safe" backup plan that will funnel Kidd into a position as head coach.
"There's a reason why whether it was Monty Williams, whether it was Ty Lue, or anybody else, the caveat was that you had to accept Jason Kidd on your squad as a developmental coach," Smith most recently said.
Smith goes on to cite Kidd's "uncomfortable past," alluding to the former baller's 2001 domestic abuse charge and his 2012 DWI charge, but Smith adds that this past won't be too hard to overcome and that we "can expect" him to be leading the Lakers as head coach "within two years."
As for Vogel, his career is highlighted by three seasons as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, leading the squad to an incredible 147-62 record along with a streak of three playoff appearances.