Lakers: 5 Biggest 2016 Offseason Needs

Mar 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. (7) and guard D'Angelo Russell (1) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. (7) and guard D'Angelo Russell (1) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott nooks on against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott nooks on against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

2. Bye Bye Byron

Quite frankly, this is something that really should’ve been quite early in the regular season this past year. However, it didn’t, which leaves the Lakers in the position this offseason where they absolutely have to give Byron Scott his pink slip and send him on his way. He can no longer coach this team.

The problems with Byron Scott have been widely covered over the past season and they all still hold true. He lacks the accountability necessary to be a successful NBA coach, he’s stuck in a past era where talking in intangibles and cliches suffices even though that’s no longer the case in the league anymore, and he’s just simply not equipped to coach a young team that’s in need of player development and not wholly focused on winning basketball games. All of these things were proven game in and game out over the past season and they aren’t going to change in the Byron Scott foxhole.

Yes, it’s wholly concerning that there are already reports out there that the Lakers are strongly considering bringing back Byron. What’s even more concerning is that one of the top candidates to fill a potential coaching vacancy in LA is now off the market with Tom Thibodeau going to Minnesota. All that’s 100 percent apparent right now, though, is that bringing Scott back to coach would be a mistake of the highest regard.

Next: No. 1 Establish a New Culture