NBA Rumors: Byron Scott’s Future With Lakers Still Remains Undetermined
The end of the 2015-16 NBA season will mark the third year in a row the Los Angeles Lakers fail to make the NBA playoffs. Along with another failed attempt to make the postseason, the Lakers will more than likely finish with the worst record in franchise history.
Last year, the Lakers finished with a record of 21-61 which was the franchise’s worst record at the time. Essentially, Los Angeles will have two of the worst seasons in the franchise’s illustrious history with head coach Byron Scott at the helm.
With Scott failing to make any improvement with an arguably better roster filled with young talent, the team’s front office will have to decide whether it is time to make a change. Although there’s been plenty of evidence to merit a dismal, the team hasn’t decided one way or the other regarding Scott’s fate via Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:
In Los Angeles, the Lakers haven’t yet decided whether to bring Byron Scott back next season. Sources indicate they intend to meet with Scott once the season ends, before deciding whether to retain him. While general manager Mitch Kupchak may have been noticeably unenthusiastic when asked to assess Scott’s performance last month, sources indicate that was simply Kupchak’s way of avoiding the question and not adding fuel to the speculation about Scott’s future. It was clumsy, but it wasn’t intended to be the damning indictment some read it as.
Heading into the NBA offseason, the Lakers brass will be focused on making good use of their lottery pick, if able to keep the draft selection, and making a splash in NBA free agency. The team’s head coach, whether it be Scott or someone elsewhere, could help determine if the Lakers can lure in a star free agent.
Signing Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency will likely be the team’s top priority once the draft is in the books. Durant will have plenty of suitors with most of them offering a better chance to win than in Los Angeles, but the Lakers will be in the running, especially if they land Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram in the draft.
