Luke Walton has a strong local connection and solid reputation
The perennially underperforming Sacramento Kings let Head Coach Luke Walton go after a 6-11 start to this season. This followed three seasons heading the Lakers — two of which featured some of the worst rosters in team history, and one helming a hastily assembled and injury-riddled team led by LeBron James.
It seemed inevitable that when James was brought in before the 2019 season, he’d want a new coach, but a 20-14 start kept Walton safe until Christmas day injuries to James — who would play a then-career low 55 games that year — and Rajon Rondo torpedoed the Lakers’ season.
Walton actually got his NBA coaching start as an interim replacement for Steve Kerr, going 39-4 with the Golden State Warriors to start the 2015-2016 season. That earned him the next two jobs in some of the most empathy-inducing, no-win situations any coach has faced in recent memory.
Walton has the respect of Kerr, Phil Jackson, Jeanie Buss, Vlade Divac, and just about every teammate, coach, and player he’s dealt with in his 10 seasons as a player and seven as a coach in the NBA.
Father Bill and son Luke Walton reunite in Portland before the @Warriors-@Trailblazers game tonight pic.twitter.com/hDcaxhLG2d
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 19, 2016
He also has Trail Blazer red running through his veins — I know we all have red blood, but play along with me here. Portland drafted his dad, Bill, with the first pick in the 1974 draft, and pops was both the league and finals MVP in leading the Blazers to their only title in 1977.
It would certainly be a treat to see his tie-dyed giant of a father around the Moda Center again.
Luke Walton also offers some measure of head coaching experience, something Hammon and Billups don’t. Nor does our third, but equally as deserving, candidate.