NBA Rumors: Lakers Targeting Recent NBA Champion For Head Coaching Vacancy

With the news that the Los Angeles Lakers will relieve head coach Frank Vogel of his duties, the names have started to surface of who they'll target to fill the role for next season. One of the most shocking rumors to emerge is that they've got their eyes on Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse. 

Among the Lakers’ top targets for their expected head coaching vacancy?

Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, sources tell @ShamsCharania.

More intel: https://t.co/xiTvvQ23GE pic.twitter.com/Hgin0XMwOU

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 11, 2022

According to Shams Charania, his sources tell him that, "among the franchise’s top targets for the position" is Nurse. The 2020 NBA Coach of the Year and 2019 World Champion still has two years remaining on a multiyear contract with the Raptors, and as Charania notes, the team would have to give permission for the Lakers to approach him. 

Charania also admits that "it’s unclear whether he will be attainable or whether he would have interest." Raptors followers present their answers to those questions:

LAKERS: "Do we have permission to talk to Nick Nurse about our coaching vacancy?”
Masai Ujiri: “LOL no.”
LAKERS: “Can we say we asked to make Klutch happy?”
MU: “Sure, wtevs." https://t.co/CWny53mvMW

— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) April 11, 2022

If Nick Nurse had been the Lakers coach this year this year, he would have beat Rob Pelinka to a pulp with his bare hands for giving him this roster. I’m going to out on a limb and say he’d rather work with Masai Ujiri. https://t.co/4rqYIGIpfE

— Sam (@YAnunoby) April 10, 2022

Nurse gonna leave Masai and a team he has autonomy to run to go get micromanaged by Kurt Rambis and work for the penny pincher owner? Please. Lol https://t.co/q9CiDAMf6j

— D.O.C (@darwinchvz320) April 10, 2022

Let's just say the odds are pretty slim that Nurse would want to leave an up-and-coming exciting roster led by Scottie Barnes, and an organization led by the best executive in the NBA, Masai Ujiri, to go to... Rob Pelinka and Kurt Rambis. 

Photo Credit:  Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports