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WASHINGTON, DC -ย  MARCH 6: Head Coach Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game on March 6, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -ย  MARCH 6: Head Coach Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game on March 6, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images

Lakers Rumors: Rick Carlisle Interests LA as Next HC After Luke Walton

Paul Kasabian
Mar 26, 2019

The Los Angeles Lakers are "widely expected" to relieve head coach Luke Walton of his duties after the season and are reportedly interested in bringing on Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, per Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Stein made it clear, however, that the Lakers likely won't have a chance at landing the 59-year-old. The Times reporter previously revealed that Carlisle, who has coached the Mavs since 2008 and led the team to the 2010-11 NBA title, received a raise and a one-year extension through the 2022-23 campaign before this season began.

Plus,ย Carlisleย is seemingly in a much better spot in Dallas.

Theย Mavsย may be just 29-44, but they have a clear direction and future. Eventual NBA Rookie of the Yearย Lukaย Doncicย and 23-year-oldย Kristapsย Porzingisย comprise the team's core, and the team has a boatload of future cap space with no one currently under contract in 2021-22, perย HoopsHype. Dallas is a team on the rise and could realistically be back in the postseason as soon as next year.

Meanwhile, the future in Los Angeles, which has endured a highly stressful regular season filled with injuries, trade rumors and inconsistent play, is currently opaque.

New Orleans Pelicans superstar big man Anthony Davis has been the subject ofย Lakers trade rumorsย for months, butย Marc J. Spears of ESPNย (h/t Danย Feldmanย of NBC Sports) reported on March 13 that the Pelicans refuse to deal him to Los Angeles.

Davis could sign with Los Angeles as a free agent in 2020, but he may also simply decide to head elsewhere.

That leaves the Lakers' future murky, especially when it seems like a lot of eggs are in one basket based off rumors.

In addition, it obviously doesn't help to have a 24/7/365 sports-media microscope on you at all times as the coach of one of the most popular American sports franchises either. Ultimately,ย Carlisleย is in a better spot.ย 

As for who may land the Lakers' gig, Stein reported that the "name most frequently cited in league coaching circles is the very availableย Tyronnย Lue."

The ex-Laker guard coached the Cleveland Cavaliers from January 2016 to October 2018, winning the 2016 NBA Finals. He was also theย Cavs' associate head coach from 2014 to 2016 and coached ex-Cavalier and currentย Lakerย LeBron James for four seasons. He was fired following theย Cavs' 0-6 start this year.

'Great Unknown' Could Be Fantasy Winner ๐Ÿ†