Reports out of ESPN have current Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni mulling offers to coach at his alma mater Marshall, which would mean leaving the Lakers before his contract runs out or before they fire him. I’d imagine D’Antoni wouldn’t mind getting the last laugh on the Lakers after the constant scrutiny that has been bestowed upon him since he took over the gig in November of 2012.

He never seemed like he bought into the Laker way from the beginning; it was just a job he simply couldn’t refuse when it was offered to him. By accepting the Marshall head coaching job it allows him to make a clean break from this current mess while being able to step into the good PR of a new job. Although, he would then have the distinction of having resigned from both NBA big market teams (New York Knicks, Lakers) in the span of two years.

It’s an easy escape, and he has a better chance of his system working at the college level in all certainty. What’s interesting is D’Antoni still has two more years left on his contract with only one being guaranteed, so there is that small caveat of him desiring that last year if things turn around next season for the purple and gold.

It’s still kind of a mystery how the Lakers front office feels about D’Antoni; Jim Buss is one of the most reclusive men in basketball, and he is the individual with the most pull on basketball decisions. I’m not even sure D’Antoni understands his current standing with the franchise — it’s a guessing game. If there is any indication that Buss will drop the hammer on him once the season ends, don’t be surprised if D’Antoni quits first — just like in New York.

Scott Groff is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ucla_unknown and add him to your network on Google.