After overnight talks, the Cavs reached a deal with Byron Scott to become the team's next head coach
Byron Scott previously coached in New Orleans and New Jersey.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When Byron Scott went to bed Tuesday night he was convinced he was not going to be the Cavaliers head coach. About 24 hours later he was agreeing to take the job. It will become official today.
After an overnight negotiating session, sources said, Scott reached an agreement in principle on a three-year contract to take over the Cavs on the same day that LeBron James became a free agent. The deal is expected to be finalized and announced by the Cavs today.
Scott took the job while on a trip with family to Arkansas and limited cell phone range actually slowed down the process late Wednesday.
The Cavs were in contact with Scott throughout the coaching search but waiting until his work with ESPN in the NBA Finals was finished before formally interviewing him. He met with the Cavs in person on Father's Day at Cavs owner Dan Gilbert's Detroit-area home.
The team continued to talk to candidates, including a two-day interview process with Lakers assistant Brian Shaw. That period combined with the uncertainty over the future of Lakers coach Phil Jackson -- a job that Scott was known to covet -- convinced Scott he was not going to get the Cavs job and he backed away. Even to the point where Scott had spoken to Cavs officials and wished them well.
But the Cavs never offered the job to anyone even though Shaw's agent told media outlets Shaw was about to become the coach. After completing meetings Wednesday morning, the Cavs offered the job to Scott. About 12 hours later, they had their next coach.
LeBron James did not play an active role in the process and likely did not talk directly with Scott. However, Scott's background as a former player who also has 10 years of head coaching experience, was known to appeal to James. Scott has a strong relationship with Hornets guard Chris Paul, who is one of James' closest friends.
Scott has a combined coaching record of 352-355 and 33-24 in the postseason with the Nets and Hornets. He won three NBA titles as a player with the Lakers and twice made the Finals with the Nets as coach.
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