Luke Walton will be the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 16-times NBA champions announced on Friday.
Walton, currently in his second season as assistant coach at Golden State Warriors, takes over from Byron Scott, who was ditched after the Lakers went 17-65 in the recently-completed season.
The 36-year-old Californian will be the 26th head coach in Lakers’ history and the 22nd since the franchise moved to Los Angeles.
Walton played 564 regular season games during a decade-long career with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
“We’re excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he’s going to start an outstanding coaching career,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement.
© Reuters
