LA Lakers Rumors: Will Brian Shaw Accept Luke Walton's Offer to Join Team?

By Jenn Loro - 20 May '16 11:45AM

In the previous report, persistent NBA rumors suggest the possibility of Brian Shaw joining Luke Walton's LA Lakers coaching staff. Shaw also served as assistant coach under Phil Jackson before coaching the Denver Nuggets. Also a former Laker, Walton can trace back his coaching pedigree both to Jackson and current Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

In the offseason, the Lakers have preoccupied themselves with the task of rebuilding the roster after two consecutive seasons of record worst performance in its franchise history. While newly anointed head-coach-in-waiting Luke Walton is still technically on Golden State Warriors rosters until official end of the season, Lakers will start filling out Walton's coaching staff with Brian Shaw in mind. Previously, GM Mitch Kupchak has publicly talked about giving Walton a helping hand from staff with credible veteran coaching experience in the league and Shaw happens to be a good fit.

But of course, hiring Shaw is not as easy as it sounds. As reported by Lakers Nation, Walton is reportedly trying to convince the former Denver Nuggets head coach into joining the team. However, new Pacers head coach Nate McMillan is purportedly wooing Shaw for similar position in Indiana. Shaw would've been the most ideal proxy fit in predraft workouts while Walton is out helping Steve Kerr in Golden State Warriors' championship repeat campaign this season.

"I have some decisions to make fairly shortly. I have an offer and I have some options," Shaw said as per Orange County Register. Currently, the former Laker works as ESPN analyst on the Western Conference Finals.

There might also be some sort of hesitation on Shaw's part given Lakers' unsavory internal politics reminiscent of the Jackson-Buss split, NBC Sports reported. After Jackson's departure from the team, Buss orchestrated a campaign to purge Lakers of Jackson acolytes. If Lakers Exec Jim Buss gets sidelined by pro-Jackson faction including Jackson's fiancée and lead owner Jeanie Buss, Walton and Shaw might survive the whole season and may even succeed in turning things around for the Lakers.

With long-time franchise poster boy Kobe Bryant gone and winning the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft lottery, how would LA Lakers fare under Luke Walton?