Mike D’Antoni has resigned as Los Angeles Lakers head coach, despite the fact that team management supported keeping him on for the final season of his contract.
The team announced the news Wednesday night. D’Antoni stepped down after the Lakers refused to pick up his team option for the 2015-16 season.
“Given the circumstances, I don’t know that anybody could have done a better job than Mike did the past two seasons,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. “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.”
D’Antoni posted a 67-87 record since being hired to replace Mike Brown early in the 2012-13 season. This season’s 27-55 record was the second-worst winning percentage (.329) and worst 82-game record in franchise history.
