The Los Angeles Lakers will be making a major transition this summer. The team moved up in the draft lottery and will pick second overall and still has enough salary cap room to offer a max salary to one of many free agents this off-season.
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There could, however, be another unexpected change as Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post reports that the Lakers will pursue Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau:
Being told that the Lakers will be pursuing Tom Thibodeau. Byron Scott has just the one year left. Lakers would be paying four head coaches.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 20, 2015
This is the second time that Thibodeau has been linked to the Lakers as there was also a rumor that he would be willing to sit out a year and wait for the Lakers job to be open next summer as Byron Scott’s contract will run out.
It would seem unlikely that the Lakers would move away from Scott so quickly however. He’s had only one season and the team was decimated by injuries. Despite that, he kept the Lakers relatively competitive considering their situation, and the Lakers probably want to see what he can do with an improved roster.
Thibodeau is still under contract with the Bulls at this time though most believe the two sides will part ways this off-season. If the Lakers were to pursue Thibodeau, they may have to work out some kind of compensation with the Bulls, similar to what the Los Angeles Clippers did in hiring Doc Rivers away from the Boston Celtics.
[divide]Lakers Nation Draft Podcast: Lottery Reaction
Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)