The Lakers have been granted permission to talk to 76ers assistant coach Monty Williams about their head coaching vacancy, ESPN reported Saturday.
The Lakers and coach Luke Walton parted ways Friday after a 37-45 season. Even before Walton's departure, former Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue emerged as a frontrunner to take the post. But Williams is also a contender, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The 47-year-old Williams has extensive NBA coaching and front office experience. He compiled a 173-221 mark as head coach with New Orleans before being fired in 2015. He then served a season as associate head coach for the Thunder and spent a couple of years in the Spurs' front office before joining the 76ers in 2018-19. He also spent five years as an assistant in Portland.
Walton did not remain unemployed long. He reportedly reached an agreement Saturday to coach the Kings.