After months of speculation, the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach Luke Walton mutually agreed to part ways Friday. The decision came three days after Magic Johnson abruptly stepped down as Lakers president of basketball operations.
Some believed Johnson’s departure would potentially pave the way to Walton remaining head coach. That notion was further supported by Walton joining general manager Rob Pelinka in Lakers exit interviews this week.
With that, the Sacramento Kings nonetheless were reported as having interest in Walton if and when they made a coaching change. Not long after Vlade Divac signed a four-year contract extension to remain Kings general manager, he fired Dave Joerger.