Lakers expected to hire Tomjanovich to fill void

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers remained without a coach late Wednesday, but the hiring of Rudy Tomjanovich appeared imminent.

Tomjanovich would succeed Phil Jackson, who coached the Lakers to three NBA championships in five years. The team announced June 18, three days after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, that Jackson wouldn't return next season.

"We feel we've identified the guy that we want to hire," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Tuesday, adding he hoped to have a coach in place by the end of the week.

Kupchak didn't identify Tomjanovich, but all indications are he's the only viable candidate remaining after Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, North Carolina coach Roy Williams and Miami Heat president Pat Riley decided to remain in their current positions.

Kupchak did say Tomjanovich "would be a wonderful selection" if he gets the job.

Tomjanovich would be the fourth coach in NBA history to coach one team to multiple championships before being hired by another, joining Bill Russell, Riley and Jackson.

The 55-year-old Tomjanovich guided Houston to titles in 1994 and 1995. He coached the Rockets for 12 years before stepping down in May 2003 — two months after being diagnosed with bladder cancer.

He negotiated a settlement of the remaining two years and $12 million on his coaching contract with the Rockets.

Reportedly in good health now, Tomjanovich worked as a scout with the Rockets last season — his 34th year with the organization he joined in 1970 as the second overall selection in the NBA draft.

Tomjanovich was the winningest coach in Rockets history with a 503-397 record, but they failed to make the playoffs in his last four years there.

He would join an unsettled Lakers team — Kobe Bryant is an unrestricted free agent who reportedly favored the hiring of Krzyzewski, and Shaquille O'Neal has demanded a trade.

Derek Fisher and Karl Malone are also unrestricted free agents.

Tomjanovich, one of the first candidates interviewed and considered a top candidate from the beginning, had to wait as the Lakers discussed the job with Riley, Krzyzewski and Williams.

Riley, a winner of 1,110 games in 21 seasons — the first nine with the Lakers — said he spoke with Lakers officials but wasn't offered the position.