NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Coach Luke Walton Hiring Brian Shaw

NBA rumors are swirling around Brian Shaw. Though he did not work in the National Basketball Association this past season, he remained a strong candidate for a coaching gig. Shaw was ignored by the New York Knicks, who were looking for someone that was familiar with Phil Jackson and the Triangle Offense. According to Bleacher Report, the former point guard is set to be hired by Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton during his first year as the guy in charge.

It comes as no surprise that the New York Knicks are looking for someone to permanently take over their head coaching job that was previously held by Derek Fisher. Kurt Rambis has held the interim position since Fisher was relieved, and he remains a strong candidate to take the job permanently. Knicks president Phil Jackson is leaning towards Rambis because he wants someone that will remain dedicated to his Triangle Offense.

Brian Shaw is someone that has a history with Phil Jackson, both as a player and as an assistant coach. He has also yearned to be a head coach again after a disastrous stint as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets. It surprised a lot of people in the NBA that Jackson has not even given consideration to Shaw, as he seems to fit the criteria that the former has been looking for.

Since he cannot get a head coaching job, the best thing for Brian Shaw is to take an assistant coaching position in hopes of rebuilding his value to NBA teams. Plenty of other coaches have successfully taken that route. Alvin Gentry became head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans after a successful stint as the lead assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. He only needed to spend a year in that role.

One of the more high-profile jobs in the NBA is with the Los Angeles Lakers. Even when the team struggles, there’s plenty of attention on the franchise because of all the greatness that they have achieved over the years. There are people rooting for them to get back to the top of the mountain, and there are people who are rooting for them to remain at the bottom of the standings for the next several years.

Being with Luke Walton and the Los Angeles Lakers is going to put Brian Shaw right into the spotlight. They’ll be featured heavily on national television. If Walton and Shaw can make the Lakers competitive again, then Shaw is going to receive a ton of credit. If D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle start reaching more of their potential, then broadcasters are going to give Shaw some of the credit, which will increase his stock in the NBA.

Rebuilding the Los Angeles Lakers is going to be quite the task. Luke Walton is going to need as much help as he can get to make that happen. Winning with the Lakers won’t be as easy as winning a record amount of games with the Golden State Warriors. There’s no Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in southern California. Walton will have his work cut out for him, and he’s going to need Brian Shaw to be on the top of his game to make his goals come true.

Luke Walton is going to need to build an awesome coaching staff if he wants to succeed with the Los Angeles Lakers. Brian Shaw happens to be a tremendous basketball mind. The two of them might be able to do wonders together, especially since Walton respects Shaw tremendously. Only time will tell.