Los Angeles Lakers top contenders for the head coach position: JJ Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell

The Los Angeles Lakers front office is keen on finding a new head coach for the upcoming season as soon as possible. After the premature playoff elimination against Denver, LA management is now entirely focused on hiring a head coach that can take them all the way back to promise land. JJ Redick, Sam Cassell and James Borrego emerge as the main candidates.

Important hours for the most winning franchise in the Western Conference. The Lakers had a bitter end to the season, falling to the Denver Nuggets 4-1 despite leading most of the game time.

Former coach Darvin Ham was criticized for the lack of adjustments he made game after game. Imperiousness in calling timeouts, inexplicable substitutions and apparent friction with some members of the team ended up wearing down the coach's image.

Despite winning the first edition of the In-season tournament, the fans demand and are only thinking about winning that coveted 18th title. At the moment, the Lakers are tied with the Boston Celtics, their greatest historical rivals. Both have won the championship trophy 17 times, and one more championship would make the Los Angeles franchise the winningest in history.

JJ Redick played 15 seasons in the league. Currently a commentator on ESPN broadcasts, Redick is the most inexperienced of the 3 candidates but also the most promising for the future. He is very clear when it comes to transmitting his knowledge and has an excellent relationship with LeBron James, with whom he even shares the co-hosting of the excellent basketball podcast "Mind the game".

Borrego has been working with the New Orleans Pelicans alongside Willie Green. He had a lot to do with the recent improvement seen in the team last season. He left good impressions when he was on the bench for the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic.

Cassell is the most experienced on the roster. The 54-year-old assistant comes from a long playing career that included three NBA titles. He spent 15 years as a professional player and another 15 years working as an assistant coach, collaborating with big names such as Flip Saunders, Doc Rivers and Joe Mazulla.

Time for the Lakers is a limited resource. The King will turn 40 next December and although LeBron continues to hold his own at an extraoridinary level, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think he has at most 2 more seasons left in the tank.