Juwan Howard Declined Opportunity With Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have moved on to the final stages of their coaching search. However, one coach the Lakers hoped they could talk to, declined the opportunity.
Los Angeles never formally interviewed University of Michigan head coach Juwan Howard because he declined overtures from the team. Had Howard expressed interested, the Lakers would have moved him to the finalist phase rather quickly.
Howard, who was teammates at Michigan with LA general manager Rob Pelinka, chose to stay at his alma mater. Howard’s sons, Jace and Jett, will both be members of the Wolverines next season.
Because of his time as an NBA player and NBA assistant coach, as well as his success at the college level, Howard is expected to remain a candidate for NBA jobs in the future. He previously interviewed with the Lakers when they hired Frank Vogel. The Boston Celtics also gauged Howard’s interest in their opening last summer, as well.
