As the one of the worst seasons in franchise history comes to a close, the speculation surrounding the future of the Los Angeles Lakers has started to swirl with the fate of head coach Mike D’Antoni uncertain.
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Although there’s been conflicting reports surrounding D’Antoni’s future with the Lakers, the most recent news to break has the Lakers leaning toward parting ways with the head coach according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
According to @mcten's sources Lakers are "leaning towards relieving him of his coaching duties at the end of this season." (on @ESPN)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 8, 2014
With the Lakers losing over 50 games this season, it comes as no surprise that the team would consider and may be leaning toward firing D’Antoni. Although injuries have torn this team apart ever since D’Antoni took over for Mike Brown at the beginning of last season, no one anticipated this season being as disappointing as it has been.
As a result of the worst season in the franchise’s history, D’Antoni could potentially take the brunt of the blame and therefore fired as a result. Even Kobe Bryant indicated recently that he doesn’t know if D’Antoni has earned another season with the team, but acknowledged that he hasn’t gotten a fair shake with all the injuries.
Now that the Lakers have a high pick in the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft and a considerable amount of cap space moving forward, it is possible that parting ways with D’Antoni might be the best course of action.
Ironically enough, before the National Championship game between UConn and Kentucky on Monday night, a rumor started to circulate about John Calipari being the next head coach of the Lakers. Calipari and Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak denied rumor shortly after it surfaced, but has many wondering what direction the team is planning on going and if D’Antoni is in the short-term plans.
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