Mike D'Antoni Resigns As Lakers Head Coach

Mike D'Antoni resigned as Los Angeles Lakers coach Wednesday night.

"We've hit an insurmountable impasse and Mike will no longer be the Lakers coach," said Warren LeGarie, D'Antoni's agent.

D'Antoni wanted the contract option for the 2015-16 season exercised, but the Lakers wouldn't budge in talks this week, leading to the resignation.

"Given the circumstances, I don’t know that anybody could have done a better job than Mike did the past two seasons," Lakers general Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. "We thank Mike for the work ethic, professionalism and positive attitude that he brought to the team ever day. We wish him the best of luck."

The Lakers will be looking for their third head coach since Phil Jackson retired from coaching after the 2010-11 season. D'Antoni was hired after the Lakers fired Mike Brown five games into the 2012-13 season.

D'Antoni guided the Lakers to the playoffs last season, but they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs with Kobe Bryant sidelined with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Bryant played just six games this season as the Lakers' roster was decimated by injuries. They finished 27-55 this season, their most losses since the franchise moved from Minneapolis.

D'Antoni left the Lakers with a 67-87 record in his two seasons.

D'Antoni had become a target for criticism by Lakers fans, including former Lakers Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson, who was glad to see the coach leave.