Los Angeles Lakers Adding Kurt Rambis to Coaching Staff

Phil Jackson’s protege, Kurt Rambis, is on the verge of re-joining the Los Angeles Lakers. Rambis will reportedly be added to head coach Mike D’Antoni’s staff for next season. Per ESPN and the LA Times: “Rambis, an ESPN analyst, has been an assistant coach with the Lakers on and off between 1999 and 2009; he was the lead assistant from 2001-04 and 2005-09. He has eight championship rings as a player, coach and front office executive. In 2009, he left to become coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, but was fired after just two seasons with the rebuilding club. His return to the Lakers is seen as a stabilizing force because of his experience and institutional knowledge of the franchise. Rambis has been seen in Las Vegas, spending time watching summer league games alongside Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni and his brother, Dan. The Lakers are also expected to hire former Orlando Magic coach Johnny Davis, the source said. […] The Lakers are ‘90% certain’ they will add Kurt Rambis as an assistant coach on Mike D’Antoni’s staff, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, though some minor details remain to make the transaction official. Rambis was an assistant coach with the Lakers from 2005-09 before becoming the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves for two years. Interestingly enough, the Lakers also considered hiring Luke Walton as a player-development coach but the former Lakers forward wanted to pursue his playing career at least one more season. The position was eventually filled by Mark Madsen, another former Lakers player.”