Report: Spurs allow Lakers to interview Messina for coaching vacancy

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.