The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly working out a deal to make Byron Scott their next head coach. According The LA TImes Scott is the Lakers preferred candidate for the job, which has been vacant since Mike D'Antoni resigned on April 30.
The Lakers have not made a formal offer yet, but a person close to the situation said "it could be a few hours or it could happen next week."
Scott's first head coaching job in the NBA was with the New Jersey Nets from 2000-2004. He then spent five years with the Hornets, where he made them contenders in the Western Conference. Most recently Scott coached the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2000-2013, compiling just 64 wins compared to 166 losses in three seasons.
The Lakers are coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history, finishing with a 27-55 record, second worst in the conference. There is no doubt that Scott will have his hands full trying to make the Lakers contenders again in the highly competitive Western Conference. The roster consists of players who are passed their prime, and players who have yet to enter theirs.
Scott will have veteran leadership on his team, but will those veterans be able to stay healthy? Kobe Bryant, who will be turning 36 next month, is coming off a season where he only played in six game because of injury. Steve Nash, 40, has not been able to consistently stay on the floor since the Lakers signed him two years ago.
The Lakers have added a few nice pieces this off season-- Carlos Boozer is a solid starting power forward, and Jeremy Lin can provide a spark. Rookie Julius Randle also looked NBA ready when he was leading the University of Kentucky to the Final Four this year.
Last year the Lakers were entirely dysfunctional under D'Antoni. Sports illustrated ran a story about D'Antoni haven gone three weeks without talking to Chris Kaman, his starting center.
That type of nonsense will not happen under Scott, who has always had the respect of his players and colleagues throughout his long career in the NBA. Lakers Nation will be expecting as least a trip to the playoffs next year, at is Bryant's last year under contract. However, whatever Scott manages to accomplish with the Lakers, it will be more than D'Antoni did.