If the Los Angeles Lakers stumble to start 2022-23 season, Mike Krzyzewski is waiting in 'retirement'
Posted October 18, 2022 5:00 a.m. EDT
Updated October 18, 2022 9:32 a.m. EDT
The last time the legendary Mike Krzyzewski wasn’t a college basketball coach, Walkie Talkies were popular Christmas gifts, Stove Top Stuffing first appeared on grocery store shelves and the average tuition at a four-year public college was about $358.
Next month marks the first time in 42 years the former Duke head coach won’t be on the sidelines coaching the Blue Devils. Even writing the word “former” in front of Coach K’s name feels strange.
Counting his time as an assistant under Bob Knight at Indiana and as Army’s head coach, Krzyzewski has spent 48 seasons coaching basketball.
On Oct. 7, Netflix released its new documentary “The Redeem Team.” It chronicles the 2008 USA men’s basketball team and its quest to win the gold medal after the team’s disappointing 2004 bronze-medal finish.
The 2008 team, led by Krzyzewski, featured stars like LeBron James, the late Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Chris Bosh.
The timing to release “The Redeem Team” is essentially on the eve of the 2022-23 NBA season, which tips off Tuesday.
On Tuesday night, James’ Los Angeles Lakers team is set to take on the Golden State Warriors, the defending NBA champions.
It begs the question: If the Lakers stumble out of the gate, it is out of the realm of possibility that Coach K takes over in La La Land to salvage the season?
Krzyzewski no longer has the responsibility of coaching Duke, the guilt about possibly leaving due to his allegiance to the school or the complications of breaking his mega contract with the university.
Plus, Krzyzewski has a connection having previously coached James, star big man Anthony Davis and guard Russell Westbrook for Team USA.
Everyone knows Krzyzewski nearly took the Lakers job in 2004, turning down a reported $40 million.
“[It was] closer than any other offer I ever had,” Krzyzewski told JJ Redick on “The Old Man and the Three” podcast.
Krzyzewski told Redick he only seriously considered two NBA offers during his time at Duke: In 1990 with the Boston Celtics and in 2004 with the Lakers.
Krzyzewski, 75, would instantly become the oldest head coach in NBA history if he coached in the pros. Current San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who took over coaching Team USA for Krzyzewski, holds that distinction as he enters this season at the age of 73. Popovich turns 74 on Jan. 28, 2023.
While the Lakers hired Darvin Ham to replace Frank Vogel, James’ previous teams and the Lakers have a history of firing coaches.
Also, while Ham played eight NBA seasons, he has never been a head coach before. He has severed as an assistant coach for the Lakers, the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks.
No doubt, coaching NBA talent is different than college players, but Krzyzewski coached Team USA to gold-medal finishes in the 2008, 2012 and the 2016 Olympics. The experience was invaluable to Krzyzewski’s Duke recruiting, and to gain credibility if he ever decided to coach in the NBA.
James is entering his 20th NBA season as he chases Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record. James is also two titles short of Bryant and two behind Michael Jordan.
Father time is catching up to James, who seeks to put the last touches on his own legendary career. Other than Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record, one of James' last feats will be his attempt to play in the NBA at the same time as at least one of his children. There has never been a father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time.
Also, James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. Consider it a commitment by James to the Lakers. During the back-half of James’ career, he has been notorious for signing shorter contracts and jumping to other teams for more favorable chances to win an NBA championship.
If James wasn't in a Lakers uniform beyond the upcoming season, why would the team want to mortgage its future to appease him?
In April, Krzyzewski shut down the possibility of returning to Duke, but perhaps the NBA could have a different allure.
The Lakers have Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract, and 2027 and 2029 unprotected first-round picks. If the right deal comes around, a trio of James, Davis and an unnamed star could drastically shake up the Western Conference. It also makes the Lakers’ job extremely enticing if the head coach can manage the stars’ personalities.
Years ago, Krzyzewski helped save Team USA when it was in dire need.
At some point this NBA season, don't be surprised if the Lakers and Krzyzewski rumors resurface, especially if the team struggles. Coach K is waiting in "retirement."
