The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to name a new coach in the next week or two as reports indicated that general manager Mitch Kupchak is nearing the end of his coaching search.

In an interview with NBA TV, Kupchak said that they will name Mike D'Antoni's replacement within the next two weeks after focusing on roster moves over the past several weeks.

"Obviously that's one of the next things that we're going to address, and with putting the roster together and getting through the draft and getting through this last period, a week or two, the next thing we're going to work on is the coach, and I think we're going to have somebody in the next couple weeks," Kupchak said via ESPN.

The Lakers, who recently acquired Jeremy Lin in a trade with the Houston Rockets along with rookies Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson in the draft, are considering Byron Scott, Mike Dunleavy and George Karl.

Alvin Gentry, Lionel Hollins, and Kurt Rambis also interviewed for the coaching vacancy, but all three have accepted new jobs with other teams.

Among the candidates, Scott is reportedly the favorite to land the job after having multiple interviews with top team executives, while also getting the support of Kobe Bryant.

"He was my rookie mentor when I first came into the league," Bryant said in a recent interview. "So I had to do things like get his doughnuts and run errands for him and things like that. We've had a tremendously close relationship throughout the years. So, obviously I know him extremely well. He knows me extremely well."

But when asked about being tagged as the most likely next Lakers head coach, Scott said that he is not expecting anything at this point, saying that the race is still wide open. The former Lakers point guard is reportedly scheduled for another interview with Kupchak and Jim Buss, Lakers vice president of player personnel.

"I know, in my dealings in talking with Mitch and Jim they want to get the roster together and then focus on the coaching. So, myself, or whoever else are the other candidates, that's what we're all waiting for and we're kind of looking at what's going on to see if that's all done and then see next week what they're going to do with the coaching vacancy," Scott said.

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