Former LeBron James Teammate Turns Down Lakers' Interest For Head Coaching Job

Michigan Wolverines coach Juwan Howard reportedly declined the Los Angeles Lakers' interest in getting him to fill in their head coaching vacancy, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

ESPN Sources: Michigan coach Juwan Howard recently declined a Los Angeles Lakers overture on the franchise’s head coaching job. Howard is coaching his two sons — Jace and Jett — in Ann Arbor.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 22, 2022

The long-time NBA veteran reportedly opted to remain at the University of Michigan to coach his two sons Jace and Jett next season.

Howard had previously interviewed for the Lakers' coaching gig back in 2019, but the job obviously went to Frank Vogel, who has since been dismissed at the end of the 2021-22 regular season. The 49-year-old also garnered interest from the Boston Celtics last year, but Howard reportedly declined that as well.

Howard has some established relationships with some of the Lakers' brass, which is perhaps why Los Angeles tried to go after him. He was LeBron James' former teammate with the Miami Heat back from 2010 to 2013. He also played alongside Lakers GM Rob Pelinka at Michigan.

Howard previously served as an assistant with the Miami Heat from 2013 to 2019, before assuming his post as the head coach of his alma mater. Howard was named the Wolverines coach in May 2019 and is under contract until the 2025-26 season.

As far as the Lakers' head coaching search is concerned, the Purple and Gold organization is reportedly down to three names: former Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham.