April 30--The coaching search didn't last long, the Lakers hiring one of their own -- Luke Walton.
As an assistant coach with Golden State, Walton guided the Warriors to a 39-4 record earlier this season while taking the place of Steve Kerr, who was recovering from back surgery. The Warriors went 73-9 this season, setting the mark for best regular-season record in NBA history.
Walton, 36, replaced Byron Scott, who was not brought back by the Lakers after winning only 38 games over the last two seasons. Walton won championships with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010 as a pass-first role player.
Walton will stay with the Warriors through the playoffs before joining the Lakers. Golden State advanced to the Western Conference semifinals by beating Houston on Wednesday.
In Walton's brief stint as an assistant, he was known as a players' coach, one who could relate to the modern-day NBA athlete.
"We're excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he's going to start an outstanding coaching career," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement Friday. "He's one of the brightest young coaching minds in the game and we feel fortunate that he'll be leading the on-court future of our team."
Walton was drafted by the Lakers with the 32nd pick in 2003. He played nine seasons for them, averaging 4.9 points as a team-oriented player.
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