With Luke Walton recently signing a five-year deal to become the new head coac
h of the Los Angeles Lakers, the attention turned to his coaching staff. Altho
ugh Walton is still serving as an assistant coach under Steve Kerr with the Go
lden State Warriors, the Lakers brass has been busy trying to fill out his coa
ching staff with input from their new head coach.
Walton’s top target to join his staff is former Laker player and assistant co
ach, Brian Shaw. It was reported last week that Shaw was nearing a deal to bec
ome the lead assistant under Walton in Los Angeles and now Shaw himself has co
nfirmed the report, via Guy Haberman of 95.7 The Game:
Walton and the Warriors are currently battling the Oklahoma City Thunder in th
e Western Conference Finals and are facing long odds to advance to the NBA Fin
als to defend their title. Despite being the clear favorite to advance to the
Finals and win it all, Kevin Durant and company now possess a 3-1 lead over th
e Warriors following an impressive win in Game 4 on their home floor.
Once the season is over for the Warriors, Walton will head down to Los Angeles
to assume his post as Byron Scott’s successor. Shaw will follow once his dea
l with the Lakers is finalized.
As for the rest of the staff, no other candidates have emerged to join Walton
and Shaw. The team may be waiting until Walton’s season is officially over to
continue the search.