After a power struggle at the top of the Los Angeles Lakers’ management, the franchise and head coach Luke Walton mutually agreed to part ways.
Just days ago, Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson, resigned from what seemed to be a toxic environment among the Lakers.
Today, owner Jeanie Buss and head coach Luke Walton have mutually agreed to part ways, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. With a 35-47 record this season, Walton finished with a cumulative 98-148 coaching wins-losses record, while boasting a winning percentage of just 39.8%.
In a statement issued by current Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, he thanked him for the three seasons he served as the top of the Lakers coaching staff, half of the six-year contract after leaving Steve Kerr‘s assistant staff in Golden State, saying:
"“We would like to thank Luke for his dedicated service over the last three years. We wish Luke and his family the best of luck moving forward.”"
Luke then returned the feelings back, stating:
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"“I want to thank Jeanie Buss and the Buss family for giving me the opportunity to coach the Lakers. This franchise and the city will always be special to me and my family.”"
Walton, a native of Los Angeles, has spent the majority of his career, both as a player and as a coach, with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won two championships as a role player next to Kobe Bryant from 2009-10 and further played for Toronto and Cleveland before retiring.
As a coach, however, it never seemed to be stable with Walton at the helm. Misguided rotations, stints where the team felt disenfranchised, and fan outcries never made it easy for him. It might also have not helped that Walton and current Lakers superstar LeBron James were drafted the same year, albeit Walton being drafted much later (R2; P2).
It might be that Walton did not want to clean out his coaching staff, or parts of his terms with the Lakers were underwhelming, especially this season.
Nonetheless, the Lakers will look to alleviate the franchise dysfunction by scouting the best available coaches in the upcoming days while 16 other teams compete in the NBA playoffs.