Lakers coaching rumors: Washington Wizards hire Scott Brooks as head coach

The Washington Wizards have hired Scott Brooks as their next head coach, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical. The former Oklahoma City Thunder head man was one of the most desirable coaching candidates on the market for both his ability to groom young players for success like he did with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Serge Ibaka and Oklahoma City, as well as his ties to Durant, the top free agent on the market this summer.

Wojnarowski reports that Brooks accepted a five-year, $35 million deal to take over as Wizards coach, taking another one of the top available coaches off of the market. Brooks, a Southern California native, was reportedly "interested" in the Lakers head coaching position, but the front office is still "deliberating" over whether or not to fire head coach Byron Scott, leaving Brooks to take another job that was actually open.

With Brooks and Tom Thibodeau, another top coach that reportedly was attracted to the Lakers job, both off the market, the team is left without two of the most attractive available options should they decide to move on from Scott. With each passing day, it looks more like the team will retain the former Showtime shooting guard heading into next season.

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