The Los Angeles Lakers have a new head coach and he happens to be a San Diego native. University of San Diego High School alum Luke Walton will become the 26th coach in franchise history after agreeing to a multi-year deal Friday.
Walton, 36, was drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the 2003 draft with the 32nd overall pick and played for 10 years in the NBA with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Walton was part of two Lakers championship clubs in 2009 and 2010. After his playing career ended he joined the Lakers as a player development coach for the Los Angeles D-Fenders for the 2013-14 season.
For the last two seasons Walton’s been the Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach and led the team to a 24-0 start as interim head coach while Steve Kerr was out recovering from back surgery. Under Walton the Warriors were 39-4.
Walton replaces Byron Scott, who the Lakers fired Sunday after two seasons. Under Scott the Lakers had the second-worst record at 17-65 this year.
Walton will join the Lakers at the conclusion of the Golden State season.
