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Report: Spurs allow Lakers to interview Messina for coaching vacancy

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers have received permission from the San Antonio Spurs to interview assistant Ettore Messina for L.A.'s head coaching vacancy, a source told USA Today's Sam Amick.

Messina is among a group of rumored replacements for the fired Byron Scott - including Luke Walton, Derek Fisher, Jeff Van Gundy, and UConn coach Kevin Ollie.

Related: Lakers GM Kupchak hopes his coaching search isn't lengthy

Messina and Walton remain high on the Lakers' list, reports Amick. The 56-year-old Italian served as a consultant for the organization during the 2011-12 season, later joining Gregg Popovich's Spurs staff as an assistant coach in 2014. Prior to the NBA, Messina was an enormously successful coach in Europe, winning four Euroleague championships.

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