Programming note: Watch the pregame edition of Warriors Outsiders on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., streaming live on the MyTeams app.
Luke Walton no longer is head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Walton and the team mutually agreed to part ways, the franchise announced Friday.
"I want to thank Jeanie Buss and the Buss family for giving me the opportunity to coach the Lakers," Walton said. "This franchise and the city will always be special to me and my family."
Walton was hired in April 2016 and went 98-148 in three seasons in L.A.
As ESPN's Adrian Wojarnowski reported Tuesday night:
Luke Walton has two years left on his contract, but only next season is guaranteed, per source. Lakers hold option on 2020-21 season. Johnson planned to fire him, but stumbled into his own resignation on the way. Somehow, Walton survived Magic Johnson. He didn't see that coming.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2019
Sports
Before joining the Lakers, Walton was an assistant coach with the Warriors for two seasons. He filled in for Steve Kerr for the first 43 games of the 2015-16 campaign, going 39-4 at the helm.
Kerr reacted to Walton's firing at Warriors practice Friday.
Steve Kerr on the Lakers firing Luke Walton: "They lost one of the best human beings in the NBA." pic.twitter.com/VFEhtgwN4U— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) April 12, 2019
Los Angeles reportedly is zeroing in on two candidates to replace Walton.
Sixers assistant Monty Williams joins Ty Lue as the central candidates in the Lakers search, league sources tell ESPN. Process is expected to center on them.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 12, 2019
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The 39-year old might not be unemployed very long:
As expected, source tells @TheAthletic that Kings GM Vlade Divac will now reach out to Luke Walton to schedule an interview now that his Lakers days are done. As I reported yesterday, Walton is Divac's first choice for this job.— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 12, 2019