During Luke Walton’s career in the NBA, the Arizona product was known for having a great basketball IQ and possibly having a future as a coach either on the college or on the professional level.
Although Walton never turned heads as an athlete during his playing days, former Laker has always been considered coach material and his time may have finally come to show his potential.
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According to Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News, Walton is interested in joining Derek Fisher’s coaching staff in New York:
The Knicks already have received permission to talk with Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis. Although he said he has talked with Fisher and Jackson since the hire, former Lakers forward Luke Walton told this newspaper in an interview on Tuesday that he is “absolutely” interested in joining Fisher’s staff.
On Tuesday, the New York Knicks asked the Los Angeles Lakers for permission to talk to assistant coach Kurt Rambis. All signs are leading toward Rambis being the first to join Fisher’s coaching staff and Walton could follow soon after.
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Walton had a great relationship with Phil Jackson during their time together in Los Angeles and the bond has stayed strong ever since. Jackson recently told Walton that he will be a great coach someday and it could be Jackson that gives the two-time NBA champion his first shot at coaching on the sidelines in New York.
Another former Laker mentioned as a candidate for Fisher’s coaching staff is Rick Fox. Much like Walton, Fox has no experience coaching on the NBA level, but is very familiar with the triangle offense and has remained close with Jackson as well.
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