Byron Scott looks on, as Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak addresses the media. (Photo : Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers finished the season with the worst record in franchise history but head coach Byron Scott is optimistic about returning next season. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak praised Scott in the end-of-season press conference saying that the coach did an "excellent job."
"I think Byron has done an excellent job under the circumstances that he's had to deal with the last two years. This year in particular was a difficult year for a coach to wade his way through," Kupchak said via the Los Angeles Times.
It was a season to remember for the Lakers and its fans because it was Kobe Bryant's final season. However, Bryant barely practiced with the team or was present on morning shootarounds during game days.
Kupchak continued his praise on Scott for coaching the team in a very difficult situation. The 55-year-old coach is aware of the many fans desire to see him get fired. Nonetheless, he feels optimistic about his chances of retaining his position as the coach with the backing of Kupchak and Lakers president Jeanie Buss.
"I think we're all still on the same page. We have a lot obviously to dissect, a lot of things to go through, and we're going to go through them," Scott said.
The Los Angeles front office has until June 1 to decide Scott's future with the team. If the Lakers decide not to retain their current head coach, they have a lot of options to choose from.
Coaches who may be interested in taking over the Lakers include Luke Walton, Ettore Messina, Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks. It's an interesting time for the franchise as they will enter a new era where there is no longer a legendary player on the roster.
The Lakers have several building blocks of young players including Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. Los Angeles also have a huge chance to select a game-changing player in this year's NBA draft like Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram.
Another good thing happening in LA is they have about $60 million in cap space to lure free agents to play in the bright lights of Hollywood. Some of the biggest stars that will enter free agency this summer include Kevin Durant, LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, Hassan Whiteside, Andre Drummond, Mike Conley, Al Horford, Bradley Beal and Harrison Barnes, per SB Nation.
Relieve Bryant's final game in the video below where he scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz.
