Luke Walton Named Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach
Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton was among the hottest coaching candidates in the NBA, with multiple teams interested in hiring him, but he has settled on his next home in the NBA.
Continue for updates.
Lakers Hire Walton
Friday, April 29
The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Friday night that they agreed to a multiyear contract with Walton.
"We're excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he's going to start an outstanding coaching career," said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak. "He's one of the brightest young coaching minds in the game, and we feel fortunate that he'll be leading the on-court future of our team."
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters on Wednesday that Kupchak asked for and received permission to interview Walton after Golden State's first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets ends.
Walton Linked to Kings
Wednesday, April 20
Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee reported Walton "is expected to meet with Kings general manager Vlade Divac to discuss his team’s coaching vacancy."
Jackson Could Face Tampering Charges
Tuesday, April 19
"Phil Jackson could be in violation of the NBA's tampering rules for the second time in two years for contacting [Walton] without receiving permission from Golden State," according to Stefan Bondy and Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. They continued:
"It is unclear if the Warriors will file tampering charges against Jackson and the Knicks. ...
The Daily News reported that Walton informed his former coach with the Lakers that as of right now he wasn't interested in the job. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported that Jackson had informed members of the Knicks front office staff that it was his belief that Walton would remain with the Warriors.
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Walton, Kerr Comment on Knicks Interview Rumors
Monday, April 18
Walton told Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News his conversation with Jackson was not an interview, adding that the pair "talk all the time."
Kerr told reporters, "Nobody from New York has interviewed Luke."
On Sunday, Marc Berman of the New York Post reported the discussion between Walton and Jackson, citing a source, but was at first unaware if the interview was in person or over the phone. He later reported it was via phone.
According to Isola, Walton indicated he was not interested in the Knicks job at this time.
Walton Was Among Hottest Head Coaching Candidates in NBA
Walton, according to Berman, was a candidate for the Brooklyn Nets' vacant head coaching position before the Nets offered it to Kenny Atkinson. Walton made a name for himself earlier this year when he filled in for a recovering Steve Kerr and led the Warriors to an NBA-record 24-0 start. Golden State was 39-4 when Kerr returned from back surgery to take over coaching duties.
Earlier this season, Walton talked about when he decided coaching would be in his future during the end of his playing career. Jackson was head coach of Lakers at the time and invited Walton to coaches' meetings, per Berman.
"I was really into what they were doing, and I figured if I can’t play, I’d like to do this coaching thing," Walton said.
However, Walton grew up and played basketball on the West Coast and turned down an offer from Jackson to be a Knicks assistant coach two years, according to Berman.
It's no surprise Walton would be highly sought after when it comes to coaching.
