As the coaching carousel continues to turn in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of trying to figure out the best fit for their situation: wanting to contend while LeBron James is still among the best players in the league.

While the Lakers are looking, it appears a potential candidate, Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers, is off the board. Philadelphia team president Daryl Morey has already said Rivers will be back as Philadelphia’s coach, but the Lakers are holding out hope the situation changes.

Per veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein via his SubStack:

Suspicions persist in league coaching circles that the Lakers have not completely abandoned hope that Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers becomes unexpectedly available — despite the recent insistence from Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey that Rivers will be back in Philly next season.

One has to assume Rivers will be back in Philadelphia. The Lakers can wish all they like, but there is very little chance the Sixers will let him go. It’s hard to blame Rivers when the team was dealt with such a tough hand with the Ben Simmons saga and then the James Harden addition at the deadline combined with Joel Embiid’s various injuries.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!