The Los Angeles Lakers announced that they won't rush the process of hiring a new head coach after Mike D'Antoni stepped down on Wednesday, but the team is reportedly planning to make a big splash in their search for a new bench tactician.
According to ESPN Los Angeles, the Lakers are planning to talk to the Chicago Bulls, and ask permission to sit down with head coach Tom Thibodeau to gauge his interest in making a move this offseason.
Sources indicated that the Lakers are looking for a "trade" similar to what the LA Clippers did when they nabbed Doc Rivers from the Boston Celtics for a first-round pick.
Thibodeau is in contract with the Bulls until the 2016-17 NBA season, but reports indicated that the one-time Coach of the Year is at odds with the team's front office executives.
The Lakers are seeing light at the end of the tunnel, though, as Rivers was also still locked into a three-year deal with Celtics when the "trade" was consummated last offseason.
However, CBS Sports pointed out that the Lakers' situation is different than the Clippers' situation last season. The Lakers will land a lottery pick, and it will be a huge asset to give up just to acquire Thibodeau. The Clippers' situation was way different because the team needed Rivers more than their pick.
"The Lakers' situation is much different. They'll have a lottery pick in the upcoming draft, but given how bare their talent cupboard is, they need a good young player more than they need a prominent coach," CBS Sports noted.
Several analysts are convinced that Thibodeau will entertain the idea of moving to the West Coast, but the ball is still on the Bulls' hand as they are also planning to make big moves this offseason.
The Bulls will reportedly make a strong push to sign Carmelo Anthony this summer, and they are reportedly one of the most likely destination of the All-Star forward. (SEE: Anthony Will Sign Either With Knicks, Bulls)
Giving up Thibodeau will hurt their chances of acquiring Anthony, who previously hinted that Thibodeau will be the main reason why he will consider signing with the Bulls this summer.
