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Come Fan with UsWednesday, August 5, 2026

Lakers zero in on Phil Jackson, Mike D’Antoni, according to report

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly plan to reach out to Phil Jackson this weekend and have already contacted Mike D’Antoni to be their next head coach.

Ronald Martinez

The Los Angeles Lakers have targeted two high profile coaches, Phil Jackson and Mike D'Antoni, to fill the head coaching void left by Mike Brown's firing Friday morning. According to an ESPN LA report from Ramona Shelburne and Dave McMenamin, the Lakers have already reached out D'Antoni's agent and plan to reach out to Jackson sometime on Saturday to gauge his interest in returning to the Lakers less than two years after he retired from the team for a second time:

“While the Lakers have focused on Jackson, it would have to be a ‘philosophical match,’ according to sources. Issues such as how much control over personnel decisions Jackson will want and whether he would travel to all games -- issues that became problematic during Jackson’s last stint with the team -- will surely be raised.”

Shelburne and McMenamin write Jackson does have interest in returning, though how much interest is still unclear.

If the Lakers opt with D'Antoni instead of Jackson, they may have to wait a little bit before he's able to pace the sidelines. The former Suns and Knicks head coach recently underwent knee surgery and wouldn't be able to join the team for at least 10 more days.

The Lakers won their first game under interim head coach Bernie Bickerstaff, beating the Golden State Warriors 101-77 Friday night, bringing their record to 2-4.

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