https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/lakers-reportedly-targeting-these-3-coaches-to-replace-luke-walton

April 10, 2019 @ 9:20am » Andrew Holleran
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Lakers Reportedly Targeting These 3 Coaches To Replace Luke Walton

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Magic Johnson quit on the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, which could mean a lot of things for the iconic NBA franchise, though the biggest immediate one might be the future of head coach Luke Walton.

Walton is expected to be fired as the head coach of the Lakers following a disappointing 2018-19 season, though that hasn’t happened yet.

However, a new report from Yahoo! Sports reveals that Johnson had received permission to fire Walton, though he quit before doing it.

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss recently gave Magic Johnson permission to fire coach Luke Walton at the conclusion of this season after being informed of Walton’s unwillingness to “bulk up” his coaching staff, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Johnson, who held an impromptu news conference outside the Lakers’ locker room Tuesday to announce his resignation as president before the team’s final game of the season against the Portland Trail Blazers, had been displeased with Walton’s ability to effectively make in-game adjustments and he felt the coaching staff lacked the experience and expertise to foster player development, sources said.

The Lakers have reportedly been targeting these three coaches to potentially replace Walton.

Former Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, Sixers assistant Monty Williams and former Warriors coach Mark Jackson were on the short list of candidates to replace Walton, with Lue and Williams being the primary targets, sources said.

It’s unclear what happens from here, though.

The Lakers are clearly in a major state of dysfunction at the moment and have a ton of decisions to make moving forward.