Miami Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard impressed in a recent interview for the Los Angeles Lakers’ vacant head coach position.
Howard met with Lakers officials on Tuesday. Los Angeles is intrigued with Howard in part because of his good relationship with LeBron James.
According to a report from Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, Howard made a strong impression with Lakers brass.
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“Miami assistant coach Juwan Howard also impressed the Lakers during his interview Tuesday at the practice facility in El Segundo, according to people with knowledge of the talks,” Turner wrote. “Howard was a teammate of James with the Miami Heat for two-plus seasons and was an assistant coach when James played for the Heat.”
Howard played parts of three seasons with the Heat, including James’ first year in 2010-11. He won a title alongside James in 2011-12.
In 2012-13, Howard began to transition into coaching. He was a part of Miami’s roster for much of the season, but only appeared in seven games, and zero playoff games.
He took on the part of a coach, even though he was technically still a player. At the conclusion of the season, Howard officially retired and became an assistant coach with the Heat.
Howard has held that position ever since.
The Lakers are looking to find a new coach after mutually agreeing to part ways with Luke Walton at the end of the season.
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