Vogel agrees to coach Lakers, sources say
Adrian Wojnarowski shares how the conversation around the Lakers has shifted from LeBron James to the team’s dysfunction and leadership woes. (0:58)
Former Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel has agreed to a deal to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told ESPN.
The Lakers are planning to pair Jason Kidd with Vogel as an assistant coach, league sources said.
Vogel’s hiring speaks to the significant influence of Lakers adviser Kurt Rambis and former coach Phil Jackson, whose opinions weigh heavily with owner Jeanie Buss. Vogel was the runner-up to Jeff Hornacek when Jackson hired a New York Knicks replacement for Derek Fisher in the summer of 2016.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka had spent the past few days gathering information from those who have worked with both Vogel and Kidd about how they believe those two could complement each other on a Lakers coaching staff, league sources said.
Vogel, 45, flew to Los Angeles on Thursday and met with Pelinka and his front office and had detailed discussions on how Vogel would approach the possibility of taking over what has become a volatile situation.
The Lakers have been under tremendous pressure to partner LeBron James with a suitable replacement to Luke Walton and to start to quell the turmoil that’s surrounding the organization.
As much as Vogel has to be judged on a difficult two-season tenure with the Magic (2016-18) during which he won 29 and 25 games with a rebuilding team, he did build a strong reputation in his five full seasons with the Pacers, who advanced to the Eastern Conference finals during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne contributed to this report.