Lakers Head Coach Mike D'Antoni Resigns
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - Mike D'Antoni has resigned as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers the team announced Wednesday afternoon.
D'Antoni had essentially drawn a line in the sand, saying he wanted the Lakers to pick up the option year (2015-2016) on his contract and wanted more input on how the Lakers are built, according to sources.
"Given the circumstances, I don't know that anybody could have done a better job than Mike did the past two seasons," said Kupchak in a statement published on Lakers.com "On behalf of the Lakers, we thank Mike for the work ethic, professionalism and positive attitude that he brought to the team every day. We wish him the best of luck."
Happy days are here again! Mike D'Antoni resigns as the Lakers coach. I couldn't be happier!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 1, 2014
The Lakers will begin to find a replacement for D'Antoni, who coached the Lakers for two seasons, immediatley. No Timetable has been established for the replecement.
Kurt Rambis and Byron Scott are known to be possible replacements for D'Antoni. When they hire their new coach, it will be their fifth coach -- including Phil Jackson -- they've hired since 2011.
D'Antoni coached the Lakers for two seasons with a record of 67-87. In his last season, D'Antoni's Lakers had the worst season in franchise history, at 27-55, while in Los Angeles.