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Lakers Make Coaching Move Amid LeBron James, Luka Doncic Rumors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 6:08 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make a run at the NBA title, but the clock is ticking with aging superstar LeBron James leading the way.

James has been with the Lakers since 2018 and has brought the team a championship ring, but just one title (2020) during his tenure wasn't the expectation when he made the move to Los Angeles.

Last season, the Lakers made some big moves. Ahead of the season, they hired former NBA player JJ Redick as the team's head coach. After that unexpected move, Los Angeles traded for Luka Doncic at the trade deadline.

In their continued hopes to assemble the best team possible, within the coaching staff and roster, Los Angeles made a coaching move during the offseason.

According to Creighton men's basketball, the Lakers have hired Lucas Vargas to their staff.

"Lucas joining the Lakeshow. Congrats to our guy @lucasvargas_tx on joining the @lakers staff," posted the official social media account of the Creighton Blue Jays men's basketball team.

Lucas joining the Lakeshow.

Congrats to our guy @lucasvargas_tx on joining the @lakers staff! #GoJays pic.twitter.com/DH7Zeww5H9
— Creighton Men’s Basketball (@BluejayMBB) July 11, 2025

Vargas was the Creighton Blue Jays' "video coordinator." He recently served his fourth season with the college basketball team and his second season as the team's video coordinator.

Vargas previously attended the University of Michigan, where he served as a student manager for three years.

Vargas joined the Los Angeles Lakers at an interesting time in the organization.

Jeanie Buss recently sold Los Angeles for a record-breaking $10 billion to Mark Walter. While the sale certainly received some fan buzz, rumors swirled after the sale that Luka Doncic was informed of the transition of the organization, but James was left in the dark.

"When the Buss family agreed to sell a majority stake in the franchise to Mark Walter on June 18, Doncic was given a heads-up and notably posted a congratulations on social media afterward," per ESPN. "James was not given the same notice and did not post any public acknowledgement afterward."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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