Lakers Rumors: LA Hasn't 'Abandoned Hope' 76ers HC Doc Rivers Becomes Available

The Los Angeles Lakers have three candidates for their vacant head-coaching job, but they are still hoping for another candidate.

The Lakers have not completely abandoned hope that Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers will become available this summer, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Bill Plaschke reported on the Doug Gottlieb Show that the Lakers preferred Rivers. Despite the 76ers falling to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the 60-year-old might not be available.

In his exit interview, the president of basketball operations said that Rivers would return for his third season.

Morey thinks he is a great coach. I feel like I am learning from him. I think the general manager and I make a great team, and we are going to see where this journey takes us.

We feel good about where it will take us, and we have a good chance to win the title.

In April, Rivers denied interest in the Lakers coaching position, telling reporters he was very happy as head coach in Philadelphia.

Everybody is happy here, and we talk a lot here. We want to get it right. I came here for one reason. When I took the job, I said that you are going to like some of the things I do and not like, and from a coaching point of view, you really can't care about that. I'm committed to winning. If we can turn this around, we want to win it. I am not a candidate. I have a job and I am very happy at it.

L.A. is interested in Rivers because he has a lengthy resume that includes an NBA title.

In addition to the 76ers, Rivers has been the coach of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, and the Magic. He has been a head coach for 23 seasons and has a regular season record of 1,043-735 and a playoffs record of 104-100.

Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, and former Portland Trial Blazers head coach Terry Stotts are the current finalist. According to The Athletic, Ham has made the strongest impression.