Last week, the D-Fenders named Casey Owens head coach of the Lakers' NBA Development League affiliate.
Owens was an assistant with the D-Fenders for the 2013-14 season. Under then-coach Bob MacKinnon, the team finished 31-19.
Like the Lakers last season, the D-Fenders struggled to win games, finishing 17-33 under Phil Hubbard, who was not retained.
"When the D-Fenders decided to make a coaching change, we kind of rekindled our romance and lo and behold, here I am, moving back to L.A.," Owens said to The Times. "I couldn't be happier."
Owens, who has also coached in the Continental Basketball League and overseas in China and Venezuela, decided to take a break after his stint with the D-Fenders.