Report: Mike D'Antoni Will Be Retained by the Lakers to Coach Next Season

This rumor should be taken with a grain of salt due to the fact that it is only coming from one reporter with no one on the record, but the Orange County Register's Mark Heisler is reporting that the Lakers have decided to bring back Mike D'Antoni for the 2014-15 season.

From the OC Register:

Ready for Mike D’Antoni III? After 10 days of soul searching, the key figures in Lakers management are agreed on bringing back D’Antoni for a third season as coach, a source with knowledge of the deliberations told the Register.

Keeping D’Antoni, of course, would be unpopular among Lakers fans, united in their desire to see him fired and Jim Buss resign.

Adding additional credence to these rumors is Sam Amick's report that now MDA is pushing for his option to be picked up for the 2015-16 season if he is going to be brought back.

But again, for now these are just rumors, as the articles note that no one from the Lakers is willing to go on the record about this. And why would they? There is no reason for the Lakers to lock themselves into a final decision on D'Antoni's fate until closer to free agency in order to give potential targets clarity on what type of coaching situation they would be getting themselves in to. If this report is true, it essentially slams the door on Pau Gasol potentially returning to the team, however unlikely that was.

Do you believe this report? Do you think keeping Mike D'Antoni is a good idea or not? Discuss away in the comments.