Los Angeles

Walton Named New Lakers Head Coach

Former player Luke Walton will be the Lakers’ next head coach, the team announced on Twitter Friday night.

LOS ANGELES – The Lakers have reached an agreement on a multi-year contract for Luke Walton to become the next head coach of one of the most storied franchises in basketball.

Lakers' General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced that the team had reached an agreement with the former Laker forward, and he will begin his new coaching duties at the end of the Golden State Warriors' season.

"We're excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he's going to start an outstanding coaching career," Kupchak said. "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."

The 36-year-old becomes the 26th head coach in franchise history, replacing another former Laker in Byron Scott. 

Walton has been an assistant coach with the Warriors for two seasons, and led them to a 39-4 record in the absence of head coach Steve Kerr earlier this year.

Walton played 10 years of the Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers after being selected by Los Angeles with the 32nd overall pick in the 2003 NB Draft. He won to championships with the purple and gold in 2009 and 2010.

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