The Los Angeles Lakers are currently in flux. They have an aging superstar in Kobe Bryant and a coach who many hope will be dismissed in Mike D’Antoni. Many believe that the Lakers should move on from D’Antoni and completely rebuild starting with the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft.
Should the franchise choose to dismiss D’Antoni, former Laker Byron Scott is considered by many to be the front runner for the job. Scott, another former coach of the year, played for the Lakers from 1983-1993 and also coached the New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
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According to Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher, the Lakers are supposedly interested in Scott because of his relationship with All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving:
“At least one LA source believes that’s the direction (the Lakers) could go, primarily because of Scott’s relationship with Kyrie Irving,” Bucher said in the video.
According to Bucher, Scott and Irving “still text on a regular basis, and the relationship is very good.”
Irving is set to be eligible for a max extension this coming July, but there have been rumors that the two-time All Star is uneasy in Cleveland. The Cavs have yet to make the playoffs in Irving’s three years in the league and reportedly does not get along with Dion Waiters, adding to the speculation that the former rookie of the year will bolt in free agency.
Furthermore, if Irving chooses to decline signing an extension this summer, the Cavs are apparently willing to trade the promising young guard. According to Bucher, if Scott was coaching the Lakers, then Irving would find Los Angeles very appealing:
Irving has said he would like to stay in Cleveland, “but the fact of the matter is with Scott in LA with the Lakers, that could be very appealing, and that would bring in a great building block for the Lakers moving forward,” Bucher said of Irving.
After failing to find a superstar for Kobe Bryant to pass along the torch to, Irving would definitely fit that role. At the young age of 22, Irving will be a nice building block for the Lakers and will have the chance to learn from one of the league’s legends before taking over for the purple and gold.
The Lakers have a lot of decisions to make including whether or not they will retain D’Antoni. If Irving is interested in joining the Lakers because of Scott, the team must take that into account moving forward. Superstar players only come along so often, and the Lakers cannot afford to miss out on another one.
(H/T Fox Sports Ohio)
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