Scott was informed of the decision on Sunday night at the team’s training facility in El Segundo, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
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Scott was thanked for his “hard work, dedication and loyalty,” but the team decided it was “in the best interest of the organization to make a change at this time,” according to a brief statement from Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak released by the team about 9:15 p.m. Sunday.
In his two years with the Lakers, Scott finished with a record of 38-126. The move is not altogether surprising, though the timing of it is.
But despite the struggles in recent years, NBA News reported, the Lakers still has more than $40 million in potential cap room available next summer – making them one of the NBA’s marquee franchises.
Scott had two seasons with team options left on his contract.
Messina might be the best coach to have never had a head gig in the National Basketball Association.
Just missing a 28th for the bottom-5 cycle.
The firing of Scott is only the beginning for what appears to be a massive off-season for the Lakers. They need a little magic, and part of that needs to be in the form of their former number 32. Scott is now going through a divorce with Anita Scott, his wife of 29 years.
The Lakers resisted making changes when the 2015-16 season ended almost two weeks ago even as Tom Thibodeau (Minnesota) and Scott Brooks (Washington) went elsewhere.
The decision to fire Scott is a bit of reversal from the Lakers’ previous stance.
If the Warriors eliminate the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first-round series in Oakland on Wednesday, that could make it easier for the Lakers and Walton to schedule any possible interview before the Western Conference semifinals begin. It may take three or four more years before the Lakers get a sniff at the postseason. What the organization needs is a plan and some patience.
Other coaches could become just as enticing.
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“Guys that know me know I’m not happy with the way we played as a basketball team”, Scott said last week. The former Lakers forward coached the Warriors to a 39-4 record earlier this season while head coach Steve Kerr recovered from back surgery. This season’s 17 wins was the least amount ever for a Lakers team. Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Byron Scott after his two seasons in charge of the team led to the two worst seasons in the history of the franchise. They should be drawn to the prestige of the franchise, but they could hesitate if they think the front office will try to skip steps. He won five championships as a Lakers point guard, but a successful playing career doesn’t always translate to competent coaching.
