The Los Angeles Lakers are set to hire Brian Shaw as lead assistant coach, league sources tell Brad Turner of the L.A. Times:
Brian Shaw and the Lakers are nearing a deal for him to become Luke Walton’s lead assistant coach, according to several sources.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) May 21, 2016
Brian Shaw, a two-time NBA Champion with the Lakers during his playing career, is set to become lead assistant under head coach Luke Walton. Shaw previously served under Phil Jackson as an assistant during the Lakers’ 2009 and 2010 championship runs.
When Phil Jackson retired in 2011, Shaw immediately became a candidate to become head coach. The Lakers ultimately chose Mike Brown as coach, leading to Brian Shaw leaving the team and becoming an assistant for the Indiana Pacers.
Credited for helping improve Lance Stephenson, Paul George, and others, Shaw had a very successful two years on the Pacers’ bench under head coach Frank Vogel.
Eventually, Shaw would move on to become head coach of the Denver Nuggets in 2013. After guiding the franchise to a combined 56-89 record in two seasons as coach, the Nuggets made the decision to fire him in 2015.
Now, Brian Shaw is set to join a Lakers team with a cluster of young talent that includes Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, and more. Shaw’s past history of helping younger players and calm demeanor will surely help Luke Walton and the Lakers this upcoming season.
Shaw was previously considered for the Indiana Pacers coaching job earlier this month before the team promoted Nate McMillan.
