Lakers Rumors: Jason Kidd 'Strong Candidate' as Assistant Amid Frank Vogel Buzz

The Los Angeles Lakers aren't giving up on Jason Kidd joining the organization whenever they finally settle on their next head coach. 

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Kidd is still a "strong candidate" to be a prominent assistant coach for the Lakers. 

Wojnarowski added Los Angeles' search for a head coach is "focused" on Frank Vogel. 

Per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Kidd has a "strong relationship" with LeBron James and served as a mentor for Lonzo Ball last year. 

Kidd has been a constant focus for the Lakers throughout this process, though it doesn't appear as if he's in their head-coaching mix. 

ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin reported last month Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and adviser Kurt Rambis interviewed Kidd about their head-coaching job. 

On the Hoop Collective podcast (h/t USA Today's Christian Rivas), ESPN's Brian Windhorst said he believes what Kidd "really believed in was developing [Los Angeles'] young players," and he specifically wants to help Ball's growth. 

With the Lakers missing out on Monty Williams and Tyronn Lue, Wojnarowski and Ohm Youngmisuk reported Vogel "made a strong impression" in his first interview and is expected to meet with the team again. 

Vogel sat out last season after going 54-110 in two seasons as head coach of the Orlando Magic. He also spent six seasons with the Indiana Pacers, making five playoff appearances and two trips to the Eastern Conference finals. 

Kidd has been out of the NBA since January 2018 when he was fired by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Hall of Famer owns a 183-190 career record in five seasons as a head coach with the Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.