The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly getting closer to naming their new head coach with reports naming Byron Scott as the favorite to take the coaching vacancy.
ESPN Los Angeles reported that Scott had his third interview with the club, creating speculations that the former Lakers point guard is set to be named as the team's new coach.
Scott, who spent 11 of his 14-year career in Los Angeles, has been the frontrunner for the job vacancy because of his links to the franchise and was also endorsed by Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant in a recent interview.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said on Monday that they are already in the final stretch of their coaching search, adding that Mike D'Antoni's successor could be named in the next two weeks.
"Obviously that's one of the next things that we're going to address, and with putting the roster together and getting through the draft and getting through this last period, a week or two, the next thing we're going to work on is the coach, and I think we're going to have somebody in the next couple weeks," Kupchak said.
Aside from Scott, Mike Dunleavy and George Karl are still in the running, while Kurt Rambis, Alvin Gentry, and Lionel Hollins, who also interviewed for the job, are out of consideration after getting hired by other NBA teams.
Sources within the organization said that the Lakers are now ready to name a coach after taking care of roster moves over the past several weeks, which saw them acquiring marquee talents in the draft - Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson - and Jeremy Lin in a trade with the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers also solidified their frontline on Thursday after acquiring former Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer on amnesty waivers, edging eight other teams, who participated in the blind bidding for the former All-Star.
ESPN reported that the Lakers place a winning bid of $3.25 million, which means that the Bulls, who amnestied Boozer earlier this week, will have to pay the remaining $13.6 million in Boozer's contract.
Boozer, who averaged 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds last season, will likely take the post left by Pau Gasol, who signed with the Bulls earlier this week.
