The Lakers' inability to attract free-agent players has gotten so bad that it now may extend to coaches as well.
The once-proud Los Angeles franchise would throw current coach Byron Scott overboard if Warriors assistant and former Laker Luke Walton showed any interest in the position, according to self-appointed Lakers gossip reporter Stephen A. Smith, via Pro Basketball Talk.
Report: Lakers Will Fire Byron Scott After Season
"I'm hearing he's gone if Luke Walton wants to come in and take the job next season, that if he wants to do that, that obviously they would move beyond the Byron Scott era and bring in Luke Walton, that Luke Walton, however, as much as he loves the Lakers and California, may not find that to be an attractive job unless they position themselves to acquire somebody like a Ben Simmons," Smith said on ESPN LA. "That is what I have heard."
The Walton rumors in connection with the Lakers have come in response to the Knicks' coaching search after Monday's firing of Derek Fisher. Knicks team president and former Lakers coach Phil Jackson also figures to be interested in Walton, but not until after the season ends, according to ESPN.
Byron Scott To Blame For D'Angelo Russell's Stalled Improvement
Jackson has promoted Kurt Rambis to interim coach and "will give him a chance to turn things around," saying that right now the team is "not looking for anyone else."
Walton is not looking to leave Golden State until the season ends, ESPN added, but should be a coveted candidate after guiding the Warriors to a 39-4 record filling in for Steve Kerr.
The Lakers will have to remain among the top-3 spots in the 2016 NBA Draft to keep that selection. If they drop out of the top-3, their pick goes to Philadelphia.
Of course the Lakers won't learn of their draft fate until the NBA lottery takes place in mid-May, about a month after their season ends. The question is whether Walton would still be available.
That means Los Angeles would have to sell Walton on D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, provided Clarkson doesn't leave via free agency (the Lakers would have the ability to match any offer).
Remember when the opportunity to join the Lakers in any capacity was an honor?
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