Lakers not rushing to find new coach

The Los Angeles Lakers are in no hurry to hire a new coach, according to the Associated Press.

The Lakers are in need of a head coach after Mike D’Antoni resigned Thursday.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the Lakers have plenty of candidates, including George Karl, Jeff Van Gundy, Byron Scott, Kurt Rambis, Kevin Ollie and John Calipari (who has since eliminated himself from consideration). The Lakers also reportedly want to seek permission to speak with Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.

One person reportedly not on that list is TNT analyst Steve Kerr, who is expected to be the next coach of the New York Knicks. The New York Post reported that the Lakers are not considering Kerr because he is too far along in the hiring process with the Knicks. Knicks president Phil Jackson is engaged to Lakers president Jeanie Buss.

The Lakers have just three players under contract for next season, including star guard Kobe Bryant, who is under contract for the next two seasons.

The Lakers finished 27-55 this season, their worst in more than 50 years.