Kenny Atkinson, the lead assistant for the Warriors who won a championship with the team in 2022, may be headed to Los Angeles. Atkinson was the clear frontrunner to become the Lakers’ next head coach as of May 13.
Atkinson had already conducted an interview for the Lakers coaching position following Frank Vogel’s firing by the front office under Rob Pelinka in April 2022. Before Ham was appointed, Atkinson had apparently emerged as one of the front-runners.
Among the others who interviewed in 2022 for the position were Adrian Griffin, Terry Stotts, Charles Lee, and Mark Jackson. In 2024, Stotts has resurfaced as a contender in the Lakers’ biannual coaching search, much like Atkinson did. Even Lee was supposedly a target, but on May 9, the assistant for the Celtics was named the Hornets’ next coach.
One of the most prominent coaching positions in sports, head coach of the Lakers, would benefit greatly from Atkinson’s experience, acumen, and lineage. In addition to his role in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run,
Atkinson is recognized for having helped the Brooklyn Nets establish a winning culture during his four seasons there, from 2016–17 to 2019–20. Many believe that the Brooklyn Nets signed free agents Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019 because of Atkinson’s tenure as head coach there. Despite not being able to coach those superstars, Atkinson established himself in Golden State as Steve Kerr’s assistant, a position at which he thrived.
One of the most prominent coaching positions in sports, head coach of the Lakers, would benefit greatly from Atkinson’s experience, acumen, and lineage. In addition to his role in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run, Atkinson is recognized for having helped the Brooklyn Nets establish a winning culture during his four seasons there, from 2016–17 to 2019–20. Many believe that the Brooklyn Nets signed free agents Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019 because of Atkinson’s tenure as head coach there. Despite not being able to coach those superstars, Atkinson established himself in Golden State as Steve Kerr’s assistant, a position at which he thrived.
Atkinson has also talked very highly of his time spent sitting beneath Kerr’s learning tree. In March 2023, Atkinson expressed his hope to use the lessons he has learned from Kerr to his future endeavors in the league in an interview with 95.7’s The Game.
For instance, Steve Kerr, the coach of the Warriors, has frequently praised Atkinson’s performance when working with his staff. In particular, Kerr expressed gratitude to Atkinson for declining the head coaching position with the Hornets in 2022 in order to stay with Golden State.
According to Sports Illustrated, Kerr stated in June 2022, “We’re lucky to have him back, especially losing Mike Brown. I need Kenny, and I’m thrilled he’s back.”
Atkinson has also talked very highly of his time spent sitting beneath Kerr’s learning tree. In March 2023, Atkinson expressed his hope to use the lessons he has learned from Kerr to his future endeavors in the league in an interview with 95.7’s The Game.
The Lakers are anticipated to begin calling potential coaches “in the coming days,” according to reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin on May 13. Their initial focus will be on assistants and former head coaches who they haven’t yet conducted interviews. People like Stotts and Atkinson would be suitable for that.
According to the article, the top spots on that list were occupied by active assistant coaches like Chris Quinn of the Miami Heat and James Borrego of the New Orleans Pelicans. It was also mentioned that Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Lakers and vice president of basketball operations, had been investigating a number of prospects, including ESPN commentator JJ Redick.
The Lakers are anticipated to begin calling potential coaches “in the coming days,” according to reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin on May 13. Their initial focus will be on assistants and former head coaches who they haven’t yet conducted interviews. People like Stotts and Atkinson would be suitable for that.
According to the article, the top spots on that list were occupied by active assistant coaches like Chris Quinn of the Miami Heat and James Borrego of the New Orleans Pelicans. It was also mentioned that Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Lakers and vice president of basketball operations, had been investigating a number of prospects, including ESPN commentator JJ Redick.
Leave a Reply