Los Angeles Lakers

Report: Lakers franchise uncertain if coach Byron Scott will be back next year

Published Feb. 17, 2016 1:27 a.m. ET

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The Lakers (11-44) have the worst record in the Western Conference at the All-Star break. But what does that mean for the future of head coach Byron Scott?

While Los Angeles currently has the second-worst record in the NBA, Scott still has a full third year left on his contract. According to LA Times, the franchise is uncertain whether or not Scott will be the coach of the team next season.

It's the end game for Kobe Bryant's career, but will the Lakers ever get started this season? https://t.co/rzFzo5smjS
— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) February 17, 2016

The Lakers were reportedly obligated to pay former head coach Mike Brown $7 million per season for the two years after he was fired, which means Los Angeles paid Brown $7 million as recently as last season. If the Lakers were to fire head coach Byron Scott, the team would owe him $4.25 million per year.

"The franchise seems torn on whether he'll return for the third and last guaranteed year on his contract.

He is expected to coach the rest of this season, and some within the organization wonder what Scott might do with a better roster."

Because former head coach Mike D'Antoni resigned from his position in 2014, the Lakers didn't owe him previously guarunteed money. He would have made $4 million last year. According to ESPN.com, however, the Lakers paid "more than half" of the money once owed to the coach.

While it's hard to predict how this Lakers team would perform with more talent, it's even more challenging to imagine how the team would look if Scott coached next season. With star Kobe Bryant (and others) off the salary book, the team will reportedly have more than $55 million to spend in cap space during the NBA's free agency.

The team will also likely hold onto the draft pick in the lottery, which is top-three protected. With new faces and free agents (as well as the possibility of a talented rookie) added to the roster, perhaps a new face would make sense as the head coach in Los Angeles.

Bryan Kalbrosky produces digital content for FOXSports.com. For more, follow him on Twitter @BryanKalbrosky

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