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5 offseason moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make

By Holden Walter-Warner

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0, LeBron James #6 and Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers check on teammate Anthony Davis #3 after an injury in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0, LeBron James #6 and Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers check on teammate Anthony Davis #3 after an injury in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 08, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

5 offseason moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make: 5. Fire Frank Vogel

There’s a chance this move is made before anyone even reads this article. Not all of the bad that happened this season is the head coach’s fault, but he’s one of the more obvious scapegoats in this situation.

Even before the team was eliminated, rumors had started circulating that Vogel wasn’t long for the Lakers job. There comes a time when a team needs a new voice, and a team believed to be capable of winning a championship finding itself outside of the postseason is one of those times.

The sparring between Vogel and Westbrook over the guard’s role throughout the season was the most notable issue with Vogel. The coach struggled to find the balance between alienating the struggling star and trying to get the most out of his team, leaving everyone’s feelings out of sorts.

There wasn’t as much noticeable tension between Vogel and James, but there’s always been a lingering notion that James pulls the strings in the Lakers organization. He wants to win again before his career is over and likely won’t have any issue voicing his opinion about whether or not a coaching change is needed.

At the end of the day, it’s a coach’s job to maximize what he has at his disposal. Vogel may have been put in a position to fail this season, but it still seems like he could’ve gotten more out of his team.

There will be many names floated for the Lakers job, should it open up soon. People have already been reflexively mentioning Quin Snyder as Vogel’s likely successor, despite the former still being gainfully employed by the Utah Jazz.

But the first move is to get rid of Vogel. Expect that to happen soon if it hasn’t already.

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