Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers Rumors: D’Antoni Knew Kobe, Pau Didn’t Want To Play For Him
Lakers NewsRumors

Lakers Rumors: D’Antoni Knew Kobe, Pau Didn’t Want To Play For Him

Corey Hansford
Published: 05/03/2014
3 Min Read
SHARE
[new_royalslider id=”279″]

In the wake of the news of Mike D’Antoni’s resignation as head coach of the Lakers, the main reasoning seemed to be that the Lakers refused to pick up his fourth-year option. But things may have gone deeper than that.

— Want Nick Young To Remain In A Lakers Uniform? Join Our #STAYSWAG Campaign! —

According to the NY Daily News’ Mitch Lawrence, D’Antoni realized that he didn’t have the backing of the two longest-tenured Lakers:

Bryant told the Lakers several weeks ago that he didn’t want to play for D’Antoni next season when he returns from a knee injury. D’Antoni also knew of the team’s plans for the re-signing of Gasol this summer when he becomes a free agent. So if he had stayed on, it promised to get ugly quickly and he probably wouldn’t have lasted past Thanksgiving.

There had been rumors floating that Bryant told management he didn’t want to play for D’Antoni, and the disputes between the former coach and Gasol have been well-documented at this point.

D’Antoni supposedly even told an old friend, ‘I know that Kobe and Pau don’t want to play for me.’

It does beg the question as to why D’Antoni decided not to take the Marshall head coaching position if he realized that he wasn’t going to return next year. There was mutual interest between the two sides but ultimately D’Antoni’s brother Dan took the position.

It is also interesting to note that this report fully expects the Lakers to re-sign Gasol. Obviously the team will try to bring him back, but it seemed far from a foregone conclusion that he would return.

Regardless of the reasoning, D’Antoni and the Lakers were able to come to a mutual parting and now the Lakers must make their decision on who will take over from here.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mike D’Antoni Resigns As Lakers Head Coach – Magic Johnson Says He Couldn’t Be Happier


Please enable Javascript to watch this video

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?