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Kings interested in hiring Warriors’ Luke Walton

By Tom West

Jan 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton argues a call during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton argues a call during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings are looking for a new head coach and are expected to meet with Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton.

The Sacramento Kings have a host of talent, highlighted by one of the best centers in the NBA in the form of DeMarcus Cousins. On paper, the likes of Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay, Darren Collison, Omri Casspi and Willie Cauley-Stein add up to form what should be an enticing young group for an assistant coach looking for a bigger opportunity.

However, given the chaotic atmosphere surrounding the Kings organization, will they really be enough to interest Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton?

It’s hard to see him putting too much thought into joining the Kings unless he’s incredibly confident that he can turn things around and improve on what George Karl left behind. Nevertheless, Kings general manager Vlade Divac is expected to meet with Walton (per Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee):

"So, sure, when the time is right – probably after the Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets playoff series – the Warriors’ lead assistant and former interim head coach is expected to meet with Kings general manager Vlade Divac to discuss his team’s coaching vacancy."

After doing such a fine job this season while the Warriors’ official head coach, Steve Kerr, was out with back issues, Walton has done enough to put himself of the market of aspiring head coaches.

As he took over and maintained the same fluidity and poise with the team that was established with Kerr, Walton is being discussed as one of the better young coaching options available. Obviously, he falls behind the experienced talent of arguably the best available coach, Tom Thibodeau.

No matter how interested the Kings may be in Walton, it doesn’t make sense for the Warriors assistant to bother himself with headaches such as Cousins and Rondo or the general dysfunction of the organization as a whole. Instead, he should consider the numerous other options he’s bound to receive. If he’s lucky enough to get a call from the Minnesota Timberwolves, armed with the most exciting young roster in the NBA, or even the Washington Wizards, Walton should look elsewhere.

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