Byron Scott says he is the Los Angeles Lakers' new coach, but team won't confirm

LOS ANGELES – Byron Scott has told a CBS affiliate station that he is the Los Angeles Lakers' new coach.

Scott told KCBS-TV he has reached a deal with the Lakers, who haven't had a coach since Mike D'Antoni resigned April 30.

Yet the Lakers insisted they haven't yet reached a deal to hire Scott, the longtime Lakers shooting guard. He has been a head coach with New Jersey, New Orleans and Cleveland.

ESPN.com first reported Scott would take over the Lakers with a four-year, $17 million contract.

Scott spent last season as a television commentator on the Lakers' own network. He was Kobe Bryant's teammate during Bryant's rookie year with the Lakers in 1996-97.

Los Angeles finished 27-55 last season, compiling the most losses in the 16-time NBA champions' history.