The Lakers aren’t very good, but coach Byron Scott likely won’t get the ax for the storied franchise’s struggles this season.
The Los Angeles Daily News reported early Thursday, after the Lakers fell to 3-19 with a 123-122 loss to the Timberwolves, that Scott has enough support from Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak and president Jim Buss to keep his job throughout the 2015-16 season. Scott’s future in L.A. is expected to be re-evaluated after the season.
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Scott’s gig is no easy ride this season as he tries to develop a young roster led by Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell while managing the workload and legacy of Kobe Bryant during his 20th and final season. The Lakers clearly don’t want to overload Bryant and his 37-year-old legs, but there is likely pressure to put him on the floor for extended time at every stop on his farewell tour.
“I want him to enjoy this as much as possible,” Scott said of Bryant. “You’ve never seen him smile as much on the basketball court or talk to his opponents as much as he’s done the last two or three weeks. He’s at a very good place in his life and his career.”
Bryant is still trying to make the most of his 30.9 minutes per game, averaging 17.5 field goal attempts and 16.9 points per game.
According to the report, Kupchak and/or Buss will meet with Scott after the team’s eight-game road swing to hash out Scott’s coaching blueprint for the remainder of the season.