Lakers next coach odds: Three names emerge as favorites

It’s a three-horse race for the top job in Los Angeles. 

A new trio has emerged as the favorites to take over as the Lakers’ head coach as the franchise’s search for a leader on the sideline heats up. 

Former Hornets head coach James Borrego and Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell are currently the co-favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook & Casino Canada (+300) to take over for Darvin Ham, who was fired after the Lakers’ first-round NBA playoff exit at the hands of the Nuggets. 

The pair is closely trailed by ESPN commentator and LeBron James’ podcast partner JJ Redick, who is +340 to get the job. 

The odds shift comes after The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jovan Buha reported that Borrego, Cassell and Redick had emerged as the initial leading targets for the team. 

Mike Budenholzer, who signed a five-year, $50 contract with the Suns last week after the firing of Frank Vogel, had opened as the favorite to be the Lakers’ next head coach. 

In Charania and Buha’s most recent report, Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman, Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori and Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn were also mentioned as possible candidates. 

The Lakers’ new head coach will be tasked with delivering a second championship during the James-Anthony Davis era in Southern California.

Los Angeles was eliminated by Denver for the second straight season after going 47-35 during the regular season and securing the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference after a play-in tournament win over the Pelicans. 

Betting on the NBA?

Hanging over the team’s coaching search is the future of James, who has a $51 million player option for next season. 

James raised eyebrows across the league when he attended Monday night’s Game 4 between the Celtics and Cavaliers in Cleveland, leaving many to wonder whether he could be setting up a reunion with his hometown team.