Lakers: 5 Candidates to Replace Byron Scott as Head Coach

Mar 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott reacts during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Phoenix Suns won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott reacts during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Phoenix Suns won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
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January 14, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 14, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Walton — Warriors Assistant Coach

As an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, Luke Walton has been getting buzz about potentially coaching Lakers since long before the job ever opened up with the firing of Scott. When Walton started out the season as the interim head coach for the Warriors in the absence of Steve Kerr due to health issues and wound up having an abundance of success, Lakers fans began pining for the former Lakers player to come home and take up the clipboard.

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Though Walton obviously was coaching a highly talented roster that didn’t present the same challenges that the young Lakers roster does, he showed a ton of potential at least in that role as he effortlessly handled the challenges he did have to face in his first run as a head coach. It’d obviously be an interesting transition for the Lakers, but it’d be worth trying considering everything that Walton has learned.

The only monkey wrench in this plan would be the fact that Walton has said publicly that he’s not sure he wants to be a head coach in the NBA as soon as next season. Essentially, the former Lakers forward and current Golden State assistant wants to make sure the situation is right for him. Would the Lakers be that right situation? There’s no way to know, but the Lakers should obviously try and find out in the very near future.

Next: Ettore Messina, Spurs