LA Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, who has the unenviable distinction of leading the proud franchise to its worst season since moving to Los Angeles, wants management to pick up the team option for the last year of his current contract so that he won't enter the next season as a lame duck.
As ESPN is reporting, D'Antoni is pushing the franchise to give him more stability in his job, especially after years of speculations about his future according to sources close to the team. D'Antoni, who was hired in 2012 after the team fired now Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown, has yet to formally meet with the Lakers top brass. The ESPN sources also say that the future of D'Antoni as Lakers coach is still up in the air.
D'Antoni is said to have grown frustrated with the pace of the process, and that his uncertain future as Lakers head coach could affect his performance next season if the Lakers don't replace him. His three year contract signed in 2012 has a fourth-year team option for the 2015-16 season. The Lakers finished the 2013-14 regular season with a 27-55 win-loss record.
Weeks ago, it was reported that D'Antoni was flirting with the idea of accepting an offer from his Alma Mater, Marshall, to become its head coach especially with the Lakers reportedly on the cusp of firing him. However, D'Antoni confirmed three days ago that he won't be pursuing the job vacancy as head coach of the Thundering Herd. Instead, Marshall has announced last Friday that D'Antoni's brother Dan, himself a former NBA assistant coach, will be its new head coach.
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