Los Angeles Lakers News and Rumors: Phil Jackson to Return? Luke Walton to Replace Byron Scott?
Los Angeles Lakers president Jeanie Buss is reportedly planning to make big changes after the 2015-16 season, which could pave the way for the return of Phil Jackson.
ESPN insider Stephen A. Smith said that Buss is reportedly planning to "clean the house" after the season. According to Smith, Lakers executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak will likely lose their position.
Jeannie Buss said in July last year that Jim will step down if their rebuilding plan will not succeed, ESPN reported. Jeannie and Jim were reportedly not seeing eye to eye since Jim opted to hire Mike D'Antoni as coach in 2013 instead of Jackson, who has won five NBA championships in Los Angeles.
And if Jim Buss and Kupchak exit, Smith said that Jeannie Buss will likely make move to bring Jackson back in Los Angeles. Jackson is currently the New York Knicks team president but Smith suggested that team owner James Dolan will allow the Hall of Famer to leave if he gets an offer from the Lakers.
"I'm hearing Jim Buss is out. And Mitch Kupchak will likely follow. Jeanie is going to clean house," Smith said, via Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders. "If she does that, you know she's gonna bring Phil back. And I think Dolan will let him out of his deal to go to L.A."
Smith also told ESPN Los Angeles that the Lakers could part ways with coach Byron Scott if current Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton becomes available in the offseason. Walton has become a hot commodity after guiding the Warriors to a 24-0 this season while Warriors coach Steve Kerr was recovering from a back surgery.
However, Smith added that Walton will only be interested in coaching the Lakers if they can improve their roster in the offseason. They are in a position to acquire a top prospect in the offseason if their first-round pick does not fall out of the top three.
"Luke Walton, however, as much as he loves the Lakers and California, may not find that to be an attractive job unless they position themselves to acquire somebody like a Ben Simmons," Smith said.
Walton is also being linked to the Knicks after Jackson fired Derek Fisher on Monday, following their 23-31 start this season. However, Marc Stein of ESPN revealed that Walton will only consider coaching offers in the offseason.
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