Lakers to interview Warriors' assistant Kenny Atkinson for HC job

Kenny Atkinson. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers to interview Warriors' assistant Kenny Atkinson for head coaching job

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/11/22

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Los Angeles Lakers have received permission to interview Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson for its head coaching vacancy.

ESPN Sources: The Los Angeles Lakers have received permission to interview Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson for the franchise’s head coaching job. Atkinson has already interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets’ job.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 12, 2022

Atkinson, 54, is in his first season with the Warriors working under head coach Steve Kerr.

Beginning his NBA coaching career in 2008, Atkinson spent his first four seasons as an assistant with the New York Knicks. After assisting three seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Atkinson was hired as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets in 2016.

Atkinson spent four seasons at the helm in Brooklyn, reaching the postseason once. The Nets went 118-190 under Atkinson in the regular season and 1-4 in the postseason.

Despite keeping the Nets within playoff contention without injured stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, the Nets and Atkinson "mutually parted ways" before the end of the 2020 season.

Atkinson took a position on the Los Angeles Clippers coaching staff for the 2020-21 season before catching on with the Warriors.

Atkinson isn't the only Golden State assistant receiving interest around the league. Fellow Warriors assistant Mike Brown has reportedly agreed to be the next head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

More must-reads: