Vanessa Bryant: ‘We are completely devastated’

The Phoenix Suns are expected to move slowly in their head coaching search and strongly consider candidates without prior experience in a lead role. The Suns have hired head coaches who had previously won NBA titles during the past two cycles in Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer. Both coaches lasted just one season in the job before the Suns moved on.

Cleveland Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and Houston Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey are two candidates to monitor, sources tell The Stein Line. Jared Dudley and Sean Sweeney are also potential candidates with both coaches currently on the staff of the Dallas Mavericks.

Chauncey Billups and Willie Green have also been considered potential candidates, but Billups signed an extension with the Portland Trail Blazers while Green is likely to be retained by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will miss the All-Star Game due to ankle soreness. James was set to take part in the All-Star mini-tournament as a part of Shaquille O’Neal’s OGs.

James said he had hoped to feel good enough to play, but decided it wasn’t worth risking further injury. With the Western Conference playoff race so tight, the veteran forward is prioritizing being ready for the stretch run, and James is hoping to play in the Lakers first game back on Wednesday.

James has dealt with the ankle soreness on and off this season. The Lakers superstar missed a game last week due to the sore ankle. James then returned to play in the final two games before the All-Star break for Los Angeles.