The Los Angeles Lakers fired head coach Frank Vogel on Tuesday (NZ time) after three seasons.
The move was expected since the Lakers' bid to reach the postseason ended last week. The team finished with just 33 wins through their 82 regular season games.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Frank both on and off the court," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said. "Frank is a great coach and a good man. We will forever be grateful to him for his work in guiding us to the 2019-20 NBA championship.
This is an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one we feel is necessary at this point. All of us here wish Frank and his wonderful family all the best for the future."
Vogel finished 127-98 in three seasons and led the Lakers to their 17th NBA championship during the 2019-20 season.
"I respect Frank as a coach and as a man. He's a man who gives everything to the game," Lakers star LeBron James said earlier Monday. "At the end of the day I don't know what's going to happen with Frank and him being here, but I have nothing but respect for him."
Overall, Vogel is 431-389 in 11 seasons as head coach of the Indiana Pacers (2010-16), Orlando Magic (2016-18) and Lakers.
The Athletic reported that Toronto head coach Nick Nurse is among the Lakers' top targets to replace Vogel.
Reuters.
