Lakers Rumors: Byron Scott’s Third Interview And Free Agents

With the buzz dying down over the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and King James, focus is starting to shift to other NBA teams and the rumors circulating about what they may or may not do, who they may or may not have on the roster, and who will be coaching where.

In the case of the Los Angeles Lakers, it has been confirmed for quite a while now that Jeremy Lin — formerly of the Houston Rockets — is now a Laker.

A Lakers rumor to break yesterday was that Byron Scott may be heading to Los Angeles as the next coach of the Lakers, at least according to sources at ESPN. Here is what the cable sports network reported yesterday (the story was updated Tuesday, July 17):

“The Los Angeles Lakers brought Byron Scott in for a third interview on Wednesday as they attempt to fill their head coaching vacancy, sources told ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne.

“On Monday, the Lakers said they expected to hire a coach in the next week or two, but they do not consider the interview process to be finished, a league source told ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Dave McMenamin.

“Scott, who played 11 of his 14 NBA seasons with the Lakers, has been considered the leading candidate for the position for weeks, having gone through multiple interviews with management and having received an endorsement from none other than Kobe Bryant last week.”

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak spoke to NBA TV about the situation, ESPN reported, and said, “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.”

Bleacher Report went through a variety of Lakers rumors surrounding the team roster and said Carlos Boozer was a free agent possibility for the Lakers after getting cut by the Chicago Bulls. The website also said Ryan Kelley was likely to return to the team, though the Utah Jazz were also interested in him.

Bleacher Report reported that Wesley Johnson was likely on his way out, as the team now has limited funds for salaries and is interested in acquiring other talent. The site pointed to Johnson’s disappointing record since being drafted in 2010, averaging only 8.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

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