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As Lakers prepare for coaching search, Ettore Messina could make list

Coach Ettore Messina gives his CSKA Moscow players direction during a Euroleague game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
(Jack Guez / AFP / Getty Images)
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The Lakers will soon begin what could be a lengthy search for a head coach.

Mike D’Antoni resigned on Wednesday, after the Lakers’ worst season (27-55) since moving to Los Angeles.

One name the team may consider is former Lakers assistant coach Ettore Messina, who spent one season (2011-12) with the team as part of Mike Brown’s staff.

Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski recently tweeted about Messina, who is an Italian.

A candidate Lakers management and Kobe Bryant share a fondness: Euro legend Ettore Messina. He impressed as assistant under Mike Brown.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 1, 2014

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Messina is coaching CSKA Moscow, trying to win the Russian national championship while also preparing for his 11th Euroleague final four -- Moscow is scheduled to play Maccabi Tel Aviv in Milan, Italy, on May 16.

Messina said he hasn’t been contacted by the Lakers.

“I am just glad if I left good memories of my season there,” he told The Times. “It would be inappropriate to make any comment about the situation.”

The Lakers aren’t likely to make any decision on a coach before they learn where they pick in the 2014 NBA draft. The lottery will be held on May 20.

The Lakers have a 21.5% chance of getting a top-three selection, but a 74.4% chance that they will pick sixth or seventh.

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Mike D’Antoni resigns as Lakers coach

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.

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