Mike D’Antoni resigns as Lakers coach, replacement search begins immediately

James reportedly would like to play with Anthony at some point, and the current situation could provide a rare opportunity to nab both players. James and Anthony would have to take pay cuts, but James has done it before and Anthony has said he’d be willing to sacrifice in order to have a better chance at winning.

Even if there’s a sliver of hope, waiting around to hire a coach for the mere hope of acquiring superstars doesn’t seem like the best way to go about business. Perhaps the Lakers know they can get one of their top choices even if they do wait, but it’s still a bit of a risk.

Thibodeau and the Bulls still have three years remaining on a $17.5 million contract extension signed last year, so any team seeking an interview needs permission from Chicago. While the team hasn’t always gotten along with its star coach, the two sides have shared a good deal of success over the past four years.

On Thursday, ESPN Los Angeles reported that the Lakers would be reaching out to possible replacements for Mike D’Antoni soon, including Thibodeau. However, that always required the acquiescence of his current employer, something that appears to be unlikely.

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for a new coach after Mike D’Antoni resigned on Wednesday, and according to ESPN, they’re pursuing both coaches from this year’s NCAA Championship.

Calipari has been linked to the Lakers job ever since the weekend of the Final Four, when former Kentucky player Rex Chapman tweeted that after the championship game, Calipari to the Lakers was a “done deal.” Of course, Chapman had no idea what he was talking about and later admitted that. However, now that the Lakers actually have an opening, this is a different circumstance.

Naturally, several possible candidates have already popped up. Let’s take a look at those candidates, and a few who most likely won’t be taking the job.

Few coaches have the courage to walk away from guaranteed money. When faced with a lame-duck season that will pay $4 million, nine of out 10 people will take the season, grumble quietly about not getting an extension and hope for the best. In even the worst situations, coaches will almost always wait for the team to fire them.

The math is simple. You get fired, you get paid in full. You walk away? You’re not getting all of that money.

Bryant’s inability to stay on the floor was just one of the Lakers’ many problems this past season. Bryant played six games as he recovered from a torn Achilles. He made his comeback in December, but quickly suffered a lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee.

The Lakers find themselves at a crossroads as they enter the offseason after missing the playoffs for just the second time in 20 years. Los Angeles could have as much as $28.2 million in cap room, but face an uncertain future with Bryant as the 35-year-old enters the first season of a two-year, $48.5 million contract.