According to sources who spoke with ESPN on Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers plan to begin reaching out to potential head coaches in the next few days. At first, they will focus on sitting assistants and former head coaches who they are less familiar with.Sources claimed that Lakers general manager and vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka has been researching several potential head coaches, including ESPN commentator JJ Redick. Those that the company hasn’t previously encountered or who it just knows less about than other prospects will be the ones to request authorization for an interview in the first wave.The general manager’s definition of a critical quality for the next coach has repeatedly been referred to as “grinder” in Pelinka’s discussions with officials from throughout the league, according to sources.

Assistant prospects like James Borrego of New Orleans and Chris Quinn of Miami are anticipated to be on the initial interview list, according to insiders.

According to sources, the search is anticipated to move forward gradually, starting with this initial wave of candidates, then moving on to speak with coaches with whom the Lakers have a longer history, and finally narrowing the list down to a final group of contenders. Earlier last month, the Lakers let go of Darvin Ham after two seasons. In his first season, Ham went to the Western Conference finals and finished with a record of 90-74 overall. This year, he lost a five-game series to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.