LA Lakers Rumors: GM Kupchak Discusses Reasons In Hiring Luke Walton
The Los Angeles Lakers is still reeling from an embarrassing two-year losing streak especially with last season's record worst performance in the franchise's history. Following a dispirited retreat from the playoffs plus Kobe Bryant's retirement, the team badly needs hope to turn things around. For the top brass, getting ex-Laker and now Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton symbolizes the gold and purple team's hope of finding relevance in the post-Kobe era.
The 36-year-old acolyte of former Lakers head coach and now Knicks President Phil 'Zen Master' Jackson has been on the team's talent radar following Walton's short yet impressive performance as interim coach while Warriors coach Steve Kerr was on medical leave.
After a seven-hour interview with Luke Walton, Lakers owner Jim Buss and GM Mitch Kupchak offered Kerr's assistant a job that he simply couldn't resist: a chance to reunite with his former team while building his coaching career portfolio.
"We're excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he's going to start an outstanding coaching career," Kupchak said after the job offer as per NBA.com. "He's one of the brightest young coaching minds in the game and we feel fortunate that he'll be leading the on-court future of our team."
Before getting Walton to the roster, they first had to clear the way by getting Byron Scott off the picture. But as the young coach still transitions to being a seasoned hardcourt mentor for the Lakers, Kupchak revealed the front office may need to have a little bit of locker room involvement as per Bleacher Report. And of course, it is likely that people who will constitute his coaching staff will probably have a head coaching experience.
Two candidates are currently being rumored to join Walton's coaching staff. According to LA Times, ex-Nuggets coach and former Laker Brian Shaw and Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff are currently rumored for assistant coach job offer.
Having played for Phil Jackson-era Lakers plus having assisted Warriors head coach Steve Kerr on leading the defending champion on the court, Walton could use his valuable learning experience in re-orienting Lakers gameplay by incorporating fast-paced offense while getting a more experienced adviser on defense.
