LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 15: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds his hands to his face during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center on December 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Late Sunday night, the news that we had all been expecting was finally reported. Byron Scott had been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers finished 17-65 this season, the worst in the storied franchise’s history.

Throughout the season, Scott took criticism for his handling of the Lakers’ young talent, mainly D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle, who saw their roles significantly decreased, until Kobe Bryant had to tell Scott to let them go after it late in games.

But now, that’s all behind the Lakers. Bryant’s career has now come and gone, and the roster will certainly look different for the next head coach. Unlike some other teams in the league, the Lakers have a young group of guys to build around, and no longer have to meet the needs of Bryant.

So who are the most likely (and best possible) candidates for this job?

It would probably be crazy if we didn’t start this list off with Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton. Walton impressively kept the Warriors ship sailing without missing a beat in Steve Kerr’s absence earlier this season. He hardly ever made a move that would lead you to believe he didn’t know what he was doing out on the floor, and you could even tell how quickly he learned from minor mistakes he did make. If you really think about it, coaching the Warriors in Kerr’s absence was a pretty good warmup for a head coaching position. With so much talent, Walton’s errors never ended up costing his team a game, and he learned from those mistakes. Walton also has a good relationship with the Buss family, which goes a long way.

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 6: Interim head coach Luke Walton of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets in an NBA basketball game at the Barclays Center on December 6, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Warriors defeated the Nets 114-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 6: Interim head coach Luke Walton of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets in an NBA basketball game at the Barclays Center on December 6, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Warriors defeated the Nets 114-98. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Another name that has to be mentioned is Brian Shaw. For years, it seemed Brian Shaw was the top assistant in the league, and it was just a matter of time before he got his chance as an NBA head coach. Shaw did, after Denver fired George Karl, but was then fired after just 56 games into his second season with a team that wasn’t exactly all that talented. Despite coming from the Phil Jackson coaching tree, with the Lakers rebuilding, Shaw might not be the right person for the job in trying to develop the Lakers young talent. But that’s not to say he won’t get consideration as a former player with the team.

A very intriguing candidate for this position has to be UConn’s Kevin Ollie. Ollie’s name has been brought up over the past couple of seasons for NBA coaching gigs after leading his Huskies to a national title back in 2014. Ollie is just six years removed from his playing days, and is used to coaching up young guys. An Ollie hire might help improve the Lakers chances at getting Kevin Durant in free agency, who was Ollie’s teammate in his final season in the league. Even with his lack of NBA head coaching experience, and the Lakers desperately needing to hit on this hire, Ollie seems like one of the few guys you’d roll the dice on.

With his name mentioned in other head coaching vacancies, Jeff Van Gundy has to be considered as a veteran option. Most recently, Van Gundy has been thought of as the most likely replacement in Houston, which appears to be a team heading in the wrong direction. But is there a job that Van Gundy leave the broadcast booth for? Even though he’s been mentioned with multiple vacancies this offseason, it seems he’s more than happy in his position with ESPN and ABC next to Mike Breen and Mark Jackson.

What about former Cavaliers head coach David Blatt?  Blatt would have a great chance to actually showcase his skills with the young group in Los Angeles, and could help bring in pieces that he would see fit. After all, that’s why he was brought into Cleveland in the first place before LeBron James returned. It would be very intriguing to see how he would do with a firm grasp on things in a different job outside of that cauldron.

One final name that I would mention would be one that casual NBA fans might not know – Ettore Messina. Messina has been an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich since 2014 and has won four Euroleague championships as a head coach. He’s similar to that of a David Blatt, having tons of success overseas. At age 56, you’d have to imagine that Messina didn’t take the Spurs assistant job for nothing, and would be looking for an opportunity elsewhere as a head coach in the league. Los Angeles wouldn’t be a bad start at all, and we know how everybody likes to pick from the Gregg Popovich coaching tree.

There’s certainly plenty of ways for the Los Angeles Lakers to go in hiring their next head coach, but this vacancy has a much different feel to it than those in the past. The franchise is in a critical point in its history, and to fail on this hire would be devastating and send the Lakers further into mediocrity. The Lakers have talent in their young group, and a high draft pick incoming, but success starts at the top, and picking the right head coach could make or break the Lakers.

About Harry Lyles Jr.

Harry Lyles Jr. is an Atlanta-based writer, and a Georgia State University graduate.