Lakers Rumors: Sam Cassell, James Borrego, More Get Permission for HC Interviews

The Los Angeles Lakers' search for a new head coach is starting to take shape.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have secured permission to interview several assistant coaches, including New Orleans' James Borrego, Boston's Sam Cassell, Miami's Chris Quinn, Denver's David Adelman and Minnesota's Micah Nori.

Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin reported earlier this week that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was gathering information on head-coaching candidates while preparing to begin lining up interviews.

ESPN analyst and former NBA star JJ Redick was listed as someone Los Angeles is interested in, but it was noted that "the initial wave of requests for interview permission will be with those the organization hasn't met with in previous searches, or simply knows less than other candidates."

Cassell also starred in the NBA before quickly transitioning to coaching upon his retirement in 2009. He joined the Celtics' coaching staff prior to this season after spending years working under Doc Rivers on coaching staffs with the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.

Borrego joined the Pelicans' coaching staff this season after serving as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022. As an assistant, he spent the majority of his career working under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, winning two NBA championships in 2005 and 2007.

Adelman is the son of legendary basketball coach Rick Adelman and has worked as an assistant in the NBA since 2011. He's been a member of the Nuggets' coaching staff since 2017, helping the team earn a championship last season.

Quinn is a longtime disciple of Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, playing under him for two years of his playing career and joining his coaching staff in Miami in 2014. He's emerged as a popular coaching candidate with multiple interviews over the last few offseasons.

Nori has worked in the NBA as an assistant since 2009 and was named the lead assistant of the Timberwolves when Chris Finch was hired as head coach in 2021. He helped lead the team to a second-place finish in the Western Conference this season.