Vogel, in charge since 2019 after coaching Indiana (2011-16) and Orlando (2016-18), is under contract with the Lakers until 2022-23.

According to ESPN journalist Adrian Wojnarowski, always very well informed, citing sources inside the California franchise, Vogel's departure will be formalized on Monday.

Vogel, upon his arrival, had led the Lakers to the NBA title in 2020, the 17th in their history and the first since 2010, but LeBron James and his teammates then chained two very disappointing seasons: elimination in the 1st round of the play-offs in 2020-21, 11th place in the 2021-22 regular season.

Asked after his team's 146-141 overtime win in Denver in the final game of the regular season, Vogel, 46, assured that the decision had not been notified to him: "I was not strictly nothing said and I will savor our victory tonight (…) We will see tomorrow (Monday) what will happen”, he swept away.

The Lakers have conceded this season 49 defeats for 33 victories, with 18 losses in the last 24 matches despite the presence in the workforce of "King James", Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, who arrived last July from Washington.

But this "Big 3" was not spared from injuries and was rarely aligned together (21 matches).

Another weak point of the Lakers 2021-22, their defense, one of the least effective in the NBA, with 115.1 points conceded per game.

According to ESPN, Lakers management has not yet identified a possible successor to Vogel.

© 2022 AFP