Following three seasons at the helm of one of the NBA’s historic juggernauts Luke Walton has been fired by the Los Angeles Lakers. Walton’s firing comes just three days after Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson resigned during an impromptu public press conference.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Luke Walton have mutually agreed to part ways.
"We would like to thank Luke for his dedicated service over the last three years," said General Manager Rob Pelinka. "We wish Luke and his family the best of luck moving forward."https://t.co/3cgU3WPgnJ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 12, 2019
News of Luke Walton’s firing should come as no surprise, as reports of tension between Walton and the Lakers front office were emerging from nearly the beginning of the season, the Lakers failing to make the NBA playoffs despite adding superstar forward LeBron James, and finding himself at odds with the several of his players during a locker room confrontation.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach Tyronn Lue has been identified as a frontrunner for the coaching vacancy along with Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Monty Brown, per reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Release from the Lakers on Luke Walton pic.twitter.com/9qd9pnaDNl
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 12, 2019
Sixers assistant Monty Williams joins Ty Lue as the central candidates in the Lakers search, league sources tell ESPN. Process is expected to center on them.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 12, 2019
During Luke Walton’s three-season tenure, the Lakers attained a record of 98-148, failing to make the playoffs all three seasons in the post-Kobe Bryant era, with Walton’s fate being sealed by the disappointment surrounding LeBron James’ first season in Los Angles failing to result in postseason basketball.
