...the Lakers fired assistant coaches Mike Wells, Chris Bodaken, Larry Smith and Melvin Hunt on Thursday. The four all were part of former coach Rudy Tomjanovich's staff and stayed on after Tomjanovich resigned at midseason...

...One day after the Lakers completed their first playoff-less season in 11 years, Kupchak revealed that he chatted with former coach Phil Jackson for 45 minutes in his office and called him a "viable candidate" to return to his old job.

Although he hadn't ranked potential candidates, Kupchak said of Jackson, "certainly, he's at the top of the list." Kupchak added that he would like to have a coach in place when the Lakers take part in the June 28 draft.

"The job has not been offered to anybody," Kupchak said, "and at this point in time, I would characterize our relationship with Phil as casual. The interest or the possibility remains that he would be a coach for this team."

Also, Luke Walton wants to be back, Chucky "poured his heart out" to Kupchak regarding what went wrong with this team, and they are thinking through what to do with Vlade.

Two days removed from shoulder surgery, Lamar Odom arrived at the Lakers facility with his left arm in a sling. He will need four months to recover but said everything he does this summer will center on becoming "one of the top 10 players in the league."
Odom also made his strongest statement to date about playing alongside Bryant.

"I love being on the court with Kobe," Odom said. "To me, he's the best at what he does. You've seen him shoot the ball 40 times but I've seen him lead the league in triple-doubles.

"He does so many things well. I learned a lot from playing with him. He has an incredible will. He wants to win every game, and that's the type of person that I want on my team."

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak held season-ending exit meetings with his players Thursday, but what everyone wanted to know during his news conference was whether Phil Jackson would return to coach the team.

Kupchak said Jackson is at the top of their wish list, and he thinks Jackson is interested in the job.

Jackson met with Lakers owner Jerry Buss on April 13 about the job, but no decision was reached.

Jackson attended a Lakers game April 7 at Staples Center and sat in Buss' box. He has been at the Lakers' El Segundo office recently and met with Kupchak while there.

Kupchak said Jackson gave the team no indication of what he wants to do.

"Phil is a viable candidate, correct," Kupchak said. "I don't think that is a secret. He has spoken to us. We've met with him on occasion. He was in our building a couple of times in the past two or three weeks.

"In fact, I was at my desk a week ago, and he came in and sat down, and we talked for about 45 minutes. The job has not been offered to anybody. At this point in time, I would characterize our relationship with Phil as casual, and the interest or the possibility remains that he would be a coach with this team."...

...Kupchak was asked if Jackson expressed interest in coming back.

"The fact that he's in our building, attending games with our owner in his box, he stopped by to say hello to me; I think that indicates that there is some interest," Kupchak said. "What level of interest, I really don't know."...

...Kupchak said the organization wants to hire a coach before the June 28 NBA Draft, preferably well before then. He said he has a list of three or four candidates...

Jackson's agent, Todd Musburger, said there was definitely interest — from numerous teams seeking Jackson's availability.
"I have a feeling that Phil is on a number of lists and it seems as though the Lakers are one of many," Musburger said.

Jackson is believed to be on the short list of at least five teams, some of whom could offer perks such as a minority ownership stake. If he decides to return to coaching, Jackson could command in the $8-million to $10-million range in annual salary.

As for the Lakers, a team source said Jackson is intrigued by their lineup. He likes the potential of forward Lamar Odom, the improved play of small forward Caron Butler, and he believes center Chris Mihm has some upside. He knows what he gets with Kobe Bryant — a top one-on-one talent whom Jackson portrayed as an uncoachable enigma in his tell-all diary released last October.