Newly appointed Sacramento Kings Head Coach Luke Walton’s tenure is off to a tumultuous start. According to a report by TMZ Sports Walton is being sued by former Spectrum SportsNet and SportsNet LA reporter Kelli Tennant, who alleges she was attacked by Walton in a hotel room while he was an assistant for the Golden State Warriors.
A statement from NBA spokesman Mike Bass on the allegations against Luke Walton: “We are coordinating with the Kings organization and are in the process of gathering more information.”
— Bill Oram (@billoram) April 23, 2019
A statement from Luke Walton's attorney, Mark Baute, regarding sexual assault allegations: "Luke Walton retained me to defend him against these baseless allegations. The accuser is an opportunist, not a victim, & her claim is not credible. We intend to prove this in a courtroom."
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 23, 2019
Luke Walton served as an assistant coach for the Warriors from 2014 until April 2016 when he was hired by the Los Angeles Lakers to replace Byron Scott. Walton was ultimately let go by the Lakers at the end of this season, shortly following the departure of President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson. During Walton’s recent hiring by the Kings, the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson reported the Kings were unaware of the claims against Walton when they made the decision to hire him.
A league source tells The Sacramento Bee that Kings GM Vlade Divac was unaware of sexual assault allegations against Luke Walton until last night. Source says it’s too soon in investigatory process to say whether Walton’s contract could be terminated.
— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) April 23, 2019
The Lakers and Warriors have made statements denying any knowledge of the claims against Luke Walton while he was employed by either team.
Official statement regarding Luke Walton:https://t.co/JCFvcSHm6x
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 23, 2019
Statement from the Warriors regarding the recent sexual battery allegations against former Warriors assistant and current Kings head coach Luke Walton: pic.twitter.com/SL7Hv7bORV
— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) April 23, 2019
