The Lakers wanted at least a couple of former NBA head coaches on coach JJ Redick’s first coaching staff.
And the franchise is reportedly close to making that happen.
The Lakers are hiring Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks as the top assistants Redick’s staff, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday morning.
McMillan, who turns 60 in August, was most recently the Atlanta Hawks’ head coach (2021-23) after being the head coach for the Indiana Pacers (2016-20), Portland Trail Blazers (2005-12) and Seattle SuperSonics (2000-05).
He was also an assistant coach for the Sonics (1998-2000), Pacers (2013-16) and Hawks (2020-21) before becoming the head coach for those franchises.
McMillan has a 760-668 all-time regular-season head coaching record. He has led his teams to the playoffs 11 times in 19 seasons, including two in which he was fired before the season ended.
A second-round pick for the Sonics in 1986, McMillan played his entire 12-season NBA career in Seattle before moving into coaching.
Brooks was the head coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-15) and Washington Wizards (2021-24) before most recently being the Blazers’ lead assistant under Chauncey Billups.
He’s been coaching for more than 20 years after a 14-year playing career, including 10 in the NBA. The 2010 NBA Coach of the Year, Brooks has a 521-414 all-time regular-season record. He led his teams to the playoffs eight times out of 12 chances, including being at the helm of the Thunder during their run to the 2012 NBA Finals.
