Kupchak: No timetable for hiring new coach

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said today there’s not a timetable for hiring Phil Jackson’s replacement as coach. Kupchak said he must first meet with owner Jerry Buss and his son, Jim, before making any moves toward hiring a new coach. Kupchak acknowledged there are probably “one or two” candidates already in house. He didn’t mention names, but one of them has to be assistant coach Brian Shaw. Kobe Bryant, among others, has endorsed Shaw as the next coach. Kupchak said the impending lockout would not sway him one way or another when it comes to hiring a coach, but it’s hard to believe he would move quickly. Slowly is probably more like it.