Lakers hire Byron Scott as their new coach

Jul 29, 2014 - 3:08 AM El Segundo, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Lakers officially signed Byron Scott to a multi-year contract as head coach on Monday.

The former Lakers guard has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $17 million deal to replace Mike D'Antoni in Los Angeles.

"After an extensive and thorough search, we're proud to welcome Byron back to the Lakers family as our next head coach," said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak. "Byron has proven himself at the highest levels of the game as both a player and a coach in his almost 30 years of NBA experience. His leadership skills and track record for success make him the ideal person to lead this franchise forward."

Scott was fired in April 2013 at the end of his third season as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He has also coached the Nets and Hornets since a 14-year playing career that included three NBA title runs with the Lakers in the 1980s. Scott has a coaching record of 416-521.

D'Antoni resigned as Lakers coach in April after one of the worst seasons in franchise history and less than 18 months after he was brought in to replace Mike Brown early in the 2012-13 season.

Kobe Bryant's rookie season came with Scott on the floor in his final NBA season with the Lakers. Now, Scott has a chance to coach Bryant.

"I am ecstatic to once again be a Laker and to have the opportunity to work alongside Mitch and the Buss family," said Scott. "I know firsthand what it takes to bring a championship to this city, and as someone who both grew up in L.A. and played the majority of my career here, I know how passionate and dedicated our fans are. I will give everything I have to fulfill the championship expectations that our supporters have for us, and that we have for ourselves."