The Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Byron Scott, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Los Angeles Lakers have fired coach Byron Scott, league sources tell @TheVertical
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) April 25, 2016
After a long wait from the end of the season, the Lakers finally made their decision on Sunday night. Scott finished his Lakers tenure with a 38-126 record in two full seasons. Those two seasons were the worst in franchise history.
The decision was somewhat foreshadowed earlier this week, when TWC Sportsnet sideline reporter Mike Trudell mentioned having confidential information on his radio show.
Many fans will rightly criticize the fact that the decision was made so late, especially with coaching targets Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks already off the market. However, the important issue was that the decision was indeed made, and Scott is no longer the head coach of the Lakers.
In addition to the benefit of firing Scott, it seems that this move lays to rest many of the rumors involving the front office. According to Bill Oram, the decision was made by Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss, and it does not signify any movements in the front office, namely bringing in Phil Jackson as the president of basketball operations after next season.
Was told Byron Scott's ouster was strictly a Kupchak/Jim Buss decision and that this move does not necessarily foretell front office shakeup
— Bill Oram (@billoram) April 25, 2016
The Lakers will now undergo the process of finding their next coach. They will almost certainly be linked to Golden State Warriors assistant and former Lakers player Luke Walton and he may be the favorite to win the job, should he want to accept a head coaching career. Spurs’ assistant Ettore Messina, as well as several other candidates, will also be a hot commodity.
For now, Lakers fans can be pleased with the decision to fire the worst head coach in franchise history and moving on from an objectively terrible two seasons. Things look bright in Laker-land.
One thought