Some members of the Lakers’ organization are surprised that Frank Vogel hasn’t received a contract extension, Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register writes. Vogel, who won a championship with the franchise during last year’s bubble, is entering the final year of his three-year contract with the club.
There were rumblings that assistant coach Jason Kidd would eventually take over as coach of the team, though the Hall of Fame point guard recently inked a deal to be the head coach of the Mavericks.
Finishing a season as a “lame-duck” head coach or one without a contract status beyond it has rarely led to a long-term future between a coach and an organization. Perhaps Vogel leading the Lakers to a championship again during the 2021-22 season would buck that trend.
More NBA Rumors
- Damian Lillard wants to win with the Blazer but he’s getting “antsy” with the franchise, according to The Athletic’s Jason Quick. There’s reportedly a sense of urgency from Lillard’s camp for Portland to elevate the team around him so that they can become true contenders.
- The agreement to make Rick Carlisle the new coach of the Pacers was settled in a phone call, according to J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star. Carlisle inked a four-year deal worth $29 million to return to Indiana, where he was coach from 2003-07 and compiled a 181-147 record. “Familiarity with the organization is a plus for me,” Carlisle told Michael. “When you’re asked to come back to the same place a third time, that’s special.”
- Pacers president Kevin Pritchard did consider blowing up the roster with major changes, but that “was never likely,” Michael added in the same piece. Carlisle did leave the door open on making some moves, though. “It’s always possible that moves could be made before the season, but I think Kevin and I are both very excited about getting the roster healthy and seeing what this team can be.”
- The Knicks own three of the top-32 selections in this year’s draft, but rival executives don’t expect them to use them all, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv. “I can’t see them carrying three rookies on the roster (next year),” a rival exec said. New York owns the No. 19, No. 21, and No. 32 picks as well as the No. 58 overall selection.
