Luke Walton: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Warriors Assistant
Golden State Warriors assistant head coach Luke Walton, who led the Warriors to a 39-4 record to start the season while head coach Steve Kerr was on leave, has become one of the hotter young names in the coaching ranks this year.
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Walton Plans on Remaining with Warriors for Duration of Season
Monday, Feb. 8
Walton is "determined to see out this season in Golden State and not entertain head coaching offers until the offseason," according to Marc Stein of ESPN.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN had more insight on Walton's plans:
Walton was immediately linked to the New York Knicks after the team fired head coach Derek Fisher on Monday, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. And Bill Simmons of HBO Sports expects him to be a very popular target this offseason:
"Meanwhile - Luke Walton might have the Knicks AND Lakers bidding for him this summer. Time to buy some Luke Walton stock.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 8, 2016"
Walton, 35, was named November's Western Conference Coach of the Month while filling in for Kerr. Technically, he wasn't awarded any wins during his tenure as the team's interim head coach, but the Warriors' excellent play during his time in charge impressed folks around the NBA.
Prior to joining the Warriors coaching staff in 2014, he spent 10 years in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, largely as a role player off the bench. He averaged 4.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game.
His coaching career is already looking very promising, however. For Walton, taking time to learn under Kerr and coach the league's top roster will make leaving Golden State difficult. With the offers sure to pile up at his door, though, Walton seems likely to be a head coach before the start of next season.
