The Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff has dealt with several changes this offseason.
The changes started with former assistant Jason Kidd departing to the Dallas Mavericks to become their next head coach, and he took Greg St. Jean with him for an improved role.
Los Angeles hired former head coach David Fizdale to fill Kidd’s vacant spot. Fizdale had multiple years of work alongside LeBron James when the two were with the Miami Heat.
Assistant coach Lionel Hollins didn’t renew his contract with L.A.; Hollins reportedly wasn’t fond of the communication from the front office. Los Angeles promoted Mike Penberthy to an end-of-the-bench role in response.
But the moves go beyond the main Lakers team. Coby Karl reportedly is not returning to coach the South Bay Lakers of the G League, but L.A. could have a replacement lined up, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN:
The Lakers and Miles Simon are in talks to make Simon the head coach of the Lakers G League team — the South Bay Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Simon would also retain a role on Frank Vogel's staff with the Lakers.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) August 12, 2021
Simon has been an assistant with the Lakers since 2017, and, if given the head coaching gig for South Bay, he’d still have a spot on Frank Vogel’s staff with the main Lakers’ team.
The Lakers announced Vogel received a contract extension as well, which is likely why Simon will play a role with both squads.
Simon played collegiate basketball at Arizona and was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1997. He also coached at Arizona as an assistant from 2005 to 2008.
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