Reports have circulated that the Los Angeles Lakers have opted to hang on to coach Mike D'Antoni for at least one more season, however the embattled coach is fearful of being a lame-duck coach and is hopeful that the team will also pick up the 2015-16 option on his contract.
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The Lakers missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 2005 and finished with a franchise-worst 27-55 record leading to many questions surrounding D'Antoni's job. Yahoo Sports reported that despite the fact that D'Antoni will likely be back next season, he has been persistent in pushing the team to exercise its option on him for 2015-16.
There have been reports that free agent-to-be Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill don't like playing under D'Antoni while impending free agent Chris Kaman has reportedly also voiced displeasure with the head coach.
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Still, it seems as though the Lakers are leaning towards bringing him back to the sidelines next season even if the team is balking on committing themselves to D'Antoni for two more seasons. Amidst the team's struggles this season, D'Antoni dealt with constant questions and rumors about his job status.
The coach doesn't want to go through that again next season, but it seems as though the Lakers aren't quite ready to commit to D'Antoni through 2015-16.
The Orange County Register reported that a source with knowledge of the proceedings said that the Lakers brain trust has opted to keep him around for a third season but nothing beyond that.
"After 10 days of soul searching, the key figures in Lakers management are agreed on bringing back D'Antoni for a third season as coach, a source with knowledge of the deliberations told the Register," the paper wrote.
While D'Antoni is likely to get a chance to coach with a healthy roster next season, his future beyond that remains a question.
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