The Lakers fired head coach Byron Scott on Sunday. Scott just completed a 17-65 season and had a 38-126 record in two years on the Lakers’ bench. The move was a joint decision by GM Mitch Kupchak and executive Jim Buss and reportedly doesn’t signal a shakeup in the front office. Primary owner Jeanie Buss was reportedly an advocate for Scott behind the scenes, but it appears she allowed the basketball department to make its own call. “We would like to thank Byron for his hard work, dedication and loyalty over the last two years, but have decided it is in the best interest of the organization to make a change at this time,” Kupchak said in the team’s official statement.
To replace Scott, Los Angeles hired Warriors assistant Luke Walton as their new head coach. Walton will begin his new duties at the conclusion of the Warriors season. Los Angeles formally interviewed Walton on Thursday in Oakland. “We’re excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he’s going to start an outstanding coaching career,” Kupchak said in the team’s official statement. “He’s one of the brightest young coaching minds in the game and we feel fortunate that he’ll be leading the on-court future of our team.”
Here’s a look back at more of the notable events from around the NBA this past week…
NBA Draft News
Underclassmen Entering
- BeeJay Anya, PF/C, North Carolina State (junior)
- Edin Atic, F, International
- Brandon Austin, SF, Northwest Florida State
- Ian Baker, PG, New Mexico State (junior)
- Gracin Bakumanya, C, International
- Romaric Belemene, F, International
- Metecan Birsen, F, International
- James Blackmon Jr., SG, Indiana (sophomore)
- Axel Bouteille, SF, International
- Elijah Brown, G, New Mexico (sophomore)
- Lamous Brown, C, JUCO (Sophomore)
- Deonte Burton, SG, Iowa State (junior)
- Antonio Campbell, PF/C, Ohio (junior)
- Bakari Copeland, F, Maryland-Eastern Shore (junior)
- Petr Cornelie, F/C, International
- D’Andre Downey, F, Stillman College (junior)
- Youssoupha Fall, C, International
- Diego Flaccador, SG, International
- Michael Fusek, C, International
- Egemen Guven, PF, International
- Ludvig Hakanson, G, International
- Jimmy Hall, F, Kent State (junior)
- Cedric Happi Noube, F, Virginia Union (junior)
- Jordan Hare, PF, Rhode Island (junior)
- Julian Jacobs, G, USC (junior)
- Anthony January, F, Cal State-San Bernardino (sophomore)
- Nikola Jovanovic, C, USC (junior)
- Vincent Kesteloot, F, International
- Travion Kirkendoll, G, Centenary (sophomore)
- Jermaine Lawrence, PF, Manhattan (sophomore)
- Luc Loubaki, SG, International
- Emmanuel Malou, PF, Iowa State (junior)
- Zak McLaughlin, F, Community College (freshman)
- Dallas Moore, G, North Florida (junior)
- Jalen Moore, F, Utah State (junior)
- Tyrell Nelson, F, Gardner-Webb (junior)
- Goodluck Okonoboh, PF, UNLV (sophomore)
- Cameron Oliver, F, Nevada (freshman)
- QJ Peterson, G, VMI (junior)
- Petar Rakicevic, F, International
- Martynas Sajus, Fm International
- Wesley Sena, F/C, International
- Ingrid Sewa, F, Community College (sophomore)
- Pascal Siakam, F, New Mexico State (sophomore)
- Nik Slavica, F, International
- Emir Sulejmanovic, F, International
- Rakish Taylor, G, Texas (junior)
- Aleksandar Vezenkov, F, International
- Alec Wintering, G, Portland (junior)
- Zeek Woodley, G, Northwestern State (junior)
- Santiago Yusta, SF, International
Workouts
- NC State power forward Abdul Malik-Abu has a predraft workout scheduled with the Timberwolves on May 7th.
You can keep track of all the early entrants for the 2016 NBA Draft here.
Miscellaneous News
- The Wizards officially announced the hiring of Scott Brooks as the team’s new head coach.
- Deron Williams reportedly plans to turn down his player option worth more than $5.621MM and hit free agency this summer to seek a multiyear contract.
- Warriors combo forward Kevon Looney underwent a left hip arthroscopy to repair a torn labrum. Looney will begin rehabilitation from the surgery immediately and is expected to be out a minimum of four to six months before returning to basketball activity.
- The Kings officially named Ken Catanella as their assistant GM.
Awards
- Steve Kerr won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award.