Although the Los Angeles Lakers remained silent in the free-agency trade, they made significant changes to their coaching and medical staff. In June, the Purple and Gold replaced head coach Darwin Ham with JJ Redick. Ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Lakers announced the hiring of seasoned trainer Dr. Vanessa Brooks.
Earlier, the Lakers hired Dr. Leroy Sims as director of player performance, and Brooks will work under Sims as head athletic trainer. On Friday, the 17-time NBA champions disclosed the appointment of the seasoned trainer from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers took to their official X (formerly Twitter) handle and wrote, “The Lakers have hired Dr. Vanessa Brooks as head athletic trainer. Dr. Brooks spent the past five seasons as physical therapist and athletic trainer for the Oklahoma City Thunder.”
Vanessa Brooks has worked with the Oklahoma City Thunder since she joined the NBA in 2019. She was the first black woman to be dual-certified as an athletic trainer and physical therapist. Brooks replaced Roger Sancho at the Lakers, who joined the Phoenix Suns.
It’s Workout Time: Lakers Fans On Hiring Of Vanessa Brooks
While the reports of Brooks joining the Lakers have been circulating for a few days, the Lakers finally confirmed the update on social media. As soon as the Lakers’ announced the hiring, fans flooded the comment section and applauded the franchise’s move.
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Fans also noted that the Oklahoma City Thunder had been one of the healthiest teams in the last five years and lauded the Lakers’ decision to add the seasoned trainer to its medical staff.
However, some fans expressed concern over the franchise spending money on hiring medical and coaching staff and not signing players.
LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers will open their 2024-25 regular season campaign against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Crypto.com Arena on October 22. With King James heading toward his 22nd NBA season, many milestones await the 39-year-old star forward.
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