Surprising Name Being Linked To Lakers Job If Frank Vogel Gets Fired

Would Mike D’Antoni return to the bench to become the next Lakers head coach?

Frank Vogel is rumored to be on the hot seat after a disappointing first half of the season. The Lakers currently sit as a seventh seed in the Western Conference playoff picture. And the “Big 3” of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook has simply not worked out.

When speaking after a recent loss, Frank Vogel held firm that he doesn’t feel ‘under siege’ despite the outside noise.

“I don’t feel like I’m under siege,” Vogel said. “It’s not hard to do my job; I’m very focused on the task at hand. I’ve always been that way.”

Lakers Coach Frank Vogel Addresses His Job Security After Another Tough Loss https://t.co/dq4SHCrqyU

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) January 20, 2022

In the midst of all the buzz surrounding Frank Vogel’s job security, the NBA rumor mill is churning. And it spit out a rather surprising name to replace Vogel: longtime NBA coach Mike D’Antoni.

D’Antoni spent last season working as an assistant on the Nets bench, and is now working as a consultant under Pelicans GM Willie Green.

Even though it seems like a bit of a retirement gig, Mike D’Antoni didn’t rule out coaching again in the future earlier in the year.

“Willie’s been great to work with. We talk and it’s great having a dialogue. He’s doing a phenomenal job. I enjoy it for right now. I try to add what I can. It’s all good. We’ll see (about next season.) I’m not ruling it out. Too young (at 70 years old) to rule anything out,” D’Antoni told the Houston Chronicle in December 21.

Imagine the Lakers under Mike D'Antoni 's offense. That would be INSANE

— Rybezius (@Rybezius) December 28, 2021

Mike D’antoni was the guy I wanted for this Lakers team before the season, I think this team was built for a coach like him.

— ⚡️ (@TheWestbrookEra) January 20, 2022

Unlike Frank Vogel, Mike D’Antoni is considered an offensive guru. And he helped transform the NBA into a three point-centered league (for better or worse).

While D’Antoni is considered to be one of the best coach’s of this generation, he’s also 70-years-old. To think he’s going to come in and save the Lakers at this point of his life might be a bit far-fetched.

But nonetheless, I could see the Lakers at least gauging Mike D’Antoni’s interest before making their next head coach hire.

Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!