Former Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton is joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in an assistant role. The franchise officially confirmed the move on Tuesday.

Walton has familiarity with the Cavaliers’ organization, having played his final two seasons in NBA in Cleveland.

“It’s rare when you can strengthen your staff with someone of similar experiences and a passion for the game of basketball,” said Cavs’ head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in a team-released statement. “Luke is someone who identifies with our five core values as a coach, but also traits he was recognized for as a player, both in college and the NBA.”

Luke Walton had his first coaching experience while still an active player. During a 2011 NBA lockout, Walton served as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis. After retiring from playing in 2013, Walton decided to pursue coaching full-time and joined the Lakers’ NBA Development League affiliate.

Walton then joined the Golden State Warriors in 2014 to work under Steve Kerr. The Warriors also gave him his first taste of head coaching at the start of the 2015-16 season, as he stepped in for Kerr, who took a lengthy leave of absence due to back issues. In games Walton served as head coach, Golden State went 39–4.

Walton’s great job with the Warriors prompted the Lakers to hire him as his head coach ahead of the 2016-17 season. However, he failed to bring the same success to LA and was fired after missing the playoffs in all three seasons in charge.

The most recent job Walton had was with the Kings, where he also failed to make the postseason in two seasons and was fired after a 6-11 start in 2021-22.

The post Cavs Hire Ex-Kings Head Coach Luke Walton as an Assistant appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Sacramento Kings decided to fire their head coach Luke Walton. The franchise officially announced the move on Sunday. The Kings also confirmed that associate head coach Alvin Gentry will take over the team on an interim basis. Gentry joined the Kings organization in 2020 after parting ways with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Walton is out after the Kings struggled so far in 2021-22 despite having high hopes ahead of the season. The team lost seven out of their last eight games and currently owns a 6-11 record. That was enough for the No. 12 in the Western Conference.

Speaking about the decision, general manager Monte McNair said that Walton is not the only one to blame for the Kings’ poor performances.

“We all know all of us have to be better, especially over the last two weeks,” McNair said via ESPN. “We’re not meeting expectations. That’s not just on Luke. That’s on me, the rest of our coaches, and players. Everyone acknowledges that.”

Reportedly, Gentry is expected to stay at the helm at least until the end of 2021-22. Based on the results, the team will then decide in the offseason whether to remove the interim tag or embark on a search for a new head coach.

“I think we have the talent,” McNair added. “We’ve shown that we can do that. We’re going to get back to that, and Alvin will be the guy to lead us there.”

Luke Walton was hired as Sacramento’s head coach ahead of the 2019–20 season following a three-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. Walton compiled a 68-93 record during his time with the Kings while the team missed the playoffs in both of his two full seasons in charge.

The post Kings Fire Head Coach Luke Walton after 6-11 Start appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Former Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton is joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in an assistant role. The franchise officially confirmed the move on Tuesday.

Walton has familiarity with the Cavaliers’ organization, having played his final two seasons in NBA in Cleveland.

“It’s rare when you can strengthen your staff with someone of similar experiences and a passion for the game of basketball,” said Cavs’ head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in a team-released statement. “Luke is someone who identifies with our five core values as a coach, but also traits he was recognized for as a player, both in college and the NBA.”

Luke Walton had his first coaching experience while still an active player. During a 2011 NBA lockout, Walton served as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis. After retiring from playing in 2013, Walton decided to pursue coaching full-time and joined the Lakers’ NBA Development League affiliate.

Walton then joined the Golden State Warriors in 2014 to work under Steve Kerr. The Warriors also gave him his first taste of head coaching at the start of the 2015-16 season, as he stepped in for Kerr, who took a lengthy leave of absence due to back issues. In games Walton served as head coach, Golden State went 39–4.

Walton’s great job with the Warriors prompted the Lakers to hire him as his head coach ahead of the 2016-17 season. However, he failed to bring the same success to LA and was fired after missing the playoffs in all three seasons in charge.

The most recent job Walton had was with the Kings, where he also failed to make the postseason in two seasons and was fired after a 6-11 start in 2021-22.

The post Cavs Hire Ex-Kings Head Coach Luke Walton as an Assistant appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Sacramento Kings decided to fire their head coach Luke Walton. The franchise officially announced the move on Sunday. The Kings also confirmed that associate head coach Alvin Gentry will take over the team on an interim basis. Gentry joined the Kings organization in 2020 after parting ways with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Walton is out after the Kings struggled so far in 2021-22 despite having high hopes ahead of the season. The team lost seven out of their last eight games and currently owns a 6-11 record. That was enough for the No. 12 in the Western Conference.

Speaking about the decision, general manager Monte McNair said that Walton is not the only one to blame for the Kings’ poor performances.

“We all know all of us have to be better, especially over the last two weeks,” McNair said via ESPN. “We’re not meeting expectations. That’s not just on Luke. That’s on me, the rest of our coaches, and players. Everyone acknowledges that.”

Reportedly, Gentry is expected to stay at the helm at least until the end of 2021-22. Based on the results, the team will then decide in the offseason whether to remove the interim tag or embark on a search for a new head coach.

“I think we have the talent,” McNair added. “We’ve shown that we can do that. We’re going to get back to that, and Alvin will be the guy to lead us there.”

Luke Walton was hired as Sacramento’s head coach ahead of the 2019–20 season following a three-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. Walton compiled a 68-93 record during his time with the Kings while the team missed the playoffs in both of his two full seasons in charge.

The post Kings Fire Head Coach Luke Walton after 6-11 Start appeared first on SportzBonanza.