The Los Angeles Lakers have come close to selecting their new head coach, as Terry Stotts, Kenny Atkinson, and Darvin Ham have reportedly made the final rounds of interviews.

Initially, L.A. was believed to have anticipated interviewing between eight to 10 candidates. The interviewees spoke with vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, as well as Kurt Rambis and Jesse and Joey Buss over Zoom.

Early rumors suggested the Lakers targeted Quin Snyder, Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers for the job. Other reports claimed former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson was also in the running.

Jackson is believed to have indeed met with the Lakers’ leadership, but Rivers remained with the Philadelphia 76ers while Snyder’s and Nurse’s names quickly stopped being mentioned in the context of the team’s head coaching search.

In the end, Stotts, Atkinson, and Ham are believed to have been invited for the last round of interviews, which will take place in person in Los Angeles.

Terry Stotts

Terry Stotts didn’t make it in the NBA as a player. After the Houston Rockets selected the Oklahoma alum with the 38th overall pick in 1980, he failed to make a single appearance for the team. Stotts continued his career abroad before he turned to coaching in 1990, becoming George Karl’s assistant with the CBA’s Albany Patroons.

Kenny Atkinson

The candidate who aids player growth and has been mentored by several great NBA coaches.

Similar to Stotts, Kenny Atkinson never played in the NBA. After spending most of his 14-year career playing in Europe, he served as an assistant coach at Paris Basket Racing before joining Mike D’Antoni’s staff on the New York Knicks.

Darvin Ham

He is the only candidate with a connection to the Lakers after spending two years as Mike Brown’s assistant coach between 2011-2013. Ham is known for his energy and no-nonsense approach, fitting the criteria set for the new head coach by the Lakers’ front office — which has been looking for a leader with a commanding voice to take charge of the coaching staff.

Also, he’s reportedly who LeBron James wants for the job.