Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Jim Cleamons joined the New Orleans Hornets Wednesday as an assistant coach to Byron Scott.

Cleamons, whose contract with the Lakers had expired July 1 and was not renewed, is a longtime assistant to Phil Jackson with the Lakers and Chicago Bulls. He also was the Dallas Mavericks' head coach for a year and a half.

Cleamons becomes the lead assistant on Scott's staff, joining former Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards head coach Darrell Walker and holdover Kenny Gattison as assistants.