NBA - Former Cavs boss Brown headed to Lakers

LOS ANGELES (NBA) - Former Cleveland Cavaliers boss Mike Brown will be the new coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Brown, who coached Miami's LeBron James when the NBA superstar played for the Cavs, has met with Lakers officials about the job that has been vacant since Phil Jackson's recent announcement that he would not continue at the helm.

The Lakers issued a statement on Wednesday that said: "In response to rampant speculation and reports about our head coaching position and Mike Brown, we've met with Mike and are very impressed with him.

"In addition, we have an outline for an agreement in place and hope to sign a contract within the next few days."

When asked about Brown taking over the Lakers, Heat star James said: "Mike Brown is a great coach.

"He brought us success that we hadn't had before in that city (Cleveland), and it started with his defensive concepts.

"He brought in a defensive mindset that we didn't have.

"Fifty-plus wins, he was coach of the year, he got us to the (NBA) Finals, won us the Eastern Conference finals ... because of him and his coaching staff.

"I respect him. He definitely helped me become who I am today."

FIBA