Report: Kara Lawson the favorite to become Duke women's basketball coach

It appears Kara Lawson will be moving on from her coaching duties with the Boston Celtics.

Duke has targeted Lawson to become its new coach of the women's basketball team, and a deal could be done as soon as Friday, according to Steve Wiseman of The News and Observer. The job has yet to be offered to Lawson, though she has become a favorite to land the role, Wiseman adds. 

Lawson, a former Tennessee and WNBA star, currently is an assistant coach with the Celtics. She was hired by the Celtics in June 2019. Lawson is in Orlando at Walt Disney World with the team helping them prepare for the NBA restart later this month. 

According to Wiseman, Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, who also is on the Duke Board of Trustees, supports the hiring of Lawson despite her inevitable departure from Boston.

Lawson, 39, would be replacing Joanne P. McCallie, who resigned as head coach this month after 13 years with the organization. McCallie stepped down after Duke's athletic director refused to extend her contract that ran through 2021. 

Rice coach Tina Langley and Drake coach Jennie Baranczyk also are candidates for the Duke job, Wiseman adds.