The Los Angeles Lakers are in contract negotiations with Byron Scott for the former Lakers guard to become the franchise's next head coach, a league source told Yahoo Sports.

The Lakers' lengthy coaching search took a step forward to being finalized when they offered the job to Scott on Friday, a source said. Scott has long been the front-runner for the position after having three interviews with the Lakers. He also has been endorsed by Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers also interviewed Mike Dunleavy, Kurt Rambis, Alvin Gentry and Lionel Hollins and had informal talks with George Karl. Rambis, Gentry and Hollins have been hired recently for new coaching positions.

Scott played a key role in helping the Los Angeles Lakers win three NBA championships (1985, '87 and '88) during his 14-year NBA playing career. He also coached the New Jersey Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and '03. Scott has a 416-521 record as an NBA head coach with New Jersey (2000-04), New Orleans (2004-10) and Cleveland (2010-13).

ESPN first reported the Lakers had entered negotiations with Scott.

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