Clippers’ Alvin Gentry to interview with Lakers for head coaching job

Add Clippers associate head coach Alvin Gentry to the list of candidates the Lakers plan to interview for their head coaching vacancy, The Times has learned.

After talking with Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak by phone Friday, Gentry has an interview with Kupchak and vice president Jim Buss on Wednesday to talk about replacing Mike D’Antoni, according to several NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Gentry also has an interview for the head coach opening with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, the executives said.

Gentry and Cleveland General Manager David Griffin have a history dating to when the two worked together in Phoenix.

Gentry interviewed for the head coaching vacancy with the Utah Jazz last week.

The Lakers became more interested in talking with Gentry after speaking with several coaches and executives who raved about Gentry’s offensive philosophy, according to one executive.

Gentry, the offensive coach for the Clippers, was credited with helping the Clippers become the top-scoring team in the NBA during the regular season.

They averaged a league-best 107.9 points per game, were tied for third in field-goal percentage (47.4%) and were second in team assists per game (23.8).

Gentry has been a head coach with the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Clippers and Phoenix Suns, whom he led to the 2010 Western Conference finals, where the Suns lost to the Lakers.