Update:
Immediately after being eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, the Houston Rockets have requested permission to interview Warriors’ assistant coach Luke Walton as a potential candidate for their head coaching job.
After being eliminated by GSW, Rockets received permission to interview asst. coach Luke Walton for coach job, sources told @TheUndefeated.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) April 28, 2016
James Harden, who will reportedly have a say in the Rockets’ offseason decisions, was seen hugging Walton after the game – whatever that means.
Original Story Follows:
The Los Angeles Lakers fired head coach Byron Scott earlier this week and have since turned their focus on finding a new man for the job. After receiving permission to interview San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina, the Lakers are now turning to Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton. And according to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, they have received permission to interview him after the first round of the playoffs.
Walton is perhaps the most popular choice among fans to become the next head coach of the team. He was a member of the Lakers for the majority of his career, playing under Phil Jackson and always being described as a future coach. In Golden State, he became the interim head coach when Kerr was unable to begin the season after back surgery. Walton was the coach on the sidelines for more than half of the Warriors’ 73-9 season.
While Luke does not have any head coaching experience yet, his experience with the Warriors this season has made him a hot commodity. For all intents and purposes, it seems that he is the Lakers’ primary target.
The one hurdle that remains is whether Walton actually wants to leave Golden State at this point. Sam Amick of USA Today is reporting that many within the Warriors predict he will stay with the team.
But Walton’s value as a coach is at an all-time high. He can get a huge pay raise and coach the team he won two championships with. In addition, he gets to coach in a mostly no-pressure situation where he will be allowed to develop along with the Lakers’ young core.
We may get an answer on Walton’s decision sooner rather than later.
