According to sources familiar with the situation, the Los Angeles Lakers are bringing in NBA assistant Zach Guthrie to take over as head coach of their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. Although those sources were not authorized to speak publicly, they confirmed the move to The Times.
Guthrie, who has been an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards since 2021, will replace former South Bay coach Dane Johnson. This hire is seen as the final major coaching decision in JJ Redick’s offseason strategy as the Lakers look to focus heavily on player development in the coming season, according to the National Basketball Coaches Association.
The South Bay Lakers are expected to feature some of the franchise’s most promising young talent, including last season’s rookies Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis, along with this year’s draft picks Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. Additionally, the Lakers have three players on two-way contracts: Colin Castleton, Blake Hinson, and Armel Traoré, all of whom could see significant time under Guthrie’s leadership in the G League.
Guthrie brings a wealth of NBA experience to his new role, having worked under respected coaches like Rick Carlisle in Dallas and Quin Snyder in Utah. His résumé also includes time with the Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs, giving him a well-rounded background that the Lakers hope will translate to success in player development.
With the Lakers prioritizing the growth of their young players, Guthrie’s experience and expertise in the NBA could be crucial in helping these emerging talents transition to higher levels of competition. The move to appoint Guthrie signals the organization’s commitment to building from within and preparing their young core for future success on the main roster.