Frank Vogel’s Body Of Work Equals Contract Extension

By Jordan Long

The L.A. Lakers stand at 36-25, 5^th in the Western Conference.  They are in talks to extend Head Coach Frank Vogel’s contract which is set to expire at the end of next season. L.A. is hopeful to get the deal done once the season is over.

                Vogel took over the Lakers on May 14^th, 2019.  This was after the Lakers let go of Luke Walton.  Walton was the Lakers Head Coach from 2016 to 2019.  The franchise knew Walton from his playing days.  He played for the Lakers from 2003 to 2012.  Walton helped the franchise win 2 NBA Championships.  They expected the same from him as Head Coach.  Walton went a disappointing 98-148, a winning percentage of .398.  The Lakers never earned a playoff spot.

                At the time of the hire, Vogel brought in 8 years of NBA Head Coaching experience with the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers.  He spent 2010 to 2016 with the Pacers.  Indiana went to the playoffs 5 times.  Vogel then was hired by Orlando.  He was there from 2016 to 2018.  The Magic were a disappointing 54-110, a winning percentage of .329.

                The Lakers thought he would be the best man for the job.  Last season was his first in L.A.  The Lakers cruised in the regular season even though it was stopped by the COVID-19 pandemic and had to finish in the bubble.  They ended 52-19, the #1 seed in the Western Conference.  L.A. won the NBA Championship by beating the Miami Heat in 6 games.

                This year they are most likely going to earn a playoff spot.  It has been one of his best coaching jobs.  The Lakers needed to play some of the year without their two biggest stars, power forward Anthony Davis and small forward Lebron James.  Davis appeared in 26 games this year.  He dealt with a calf injury.  James played in 41 games and has yet to return to action.  He has a high ankle sprain.  Even with these injuries, the Lakers are holding the 5^th spot in the West. These players should be back in time for the playoffs. 

                Vogel deserves a contract extension.  His body of work shows it. The Lakers don’t need to be in a rush to do so.  They may get it done this summer, but the fact is the organization can wait until next year.  His current agreement runs out at the end of 2022.  Vogel will be their coach for years to come.  It is just a matter of what the Lakers deem as fair to keep him.