We saw the first head-coaching casualty in the NBA over the weekend. The Sacramento Kings decided to move on from head coach Luke Walton, firing him and parting ways after the Kings began the season 6-11.
It was a move that was expected for a while, as Walton barely made it through last season as head coach. There were rumors recently that changes could be coming to Sacramento, as Walton’s relationship with the front office and players could only save his job for so long.
Walton ends his tenure as the Kings’ head coach with a record of 68-93 for a winning percentage of .422. That is an improvement for Walton, as he won only .398 percent of his games as head coach with the Los Angeles Lakers for three seasons, going 98-148.
Walton became a hot name on the coaching circuit as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. He was the interim head coach during the 2015-16 season when Steve Kerr was recovering from back surgery. The Warriors went 39-4 under Walton’s watch, which was a big reason the Lakers hired him to be their lead man the next season.
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With Walton out, Alvin Gentry has been tabbed as his replacement for the remainder of the season on an interim basis. The Kings have some talent on the roster, so hopefully, a new voice leading the way can get them going.
Who else could we see on the chopping block sooner or later? Here are three head coaches that could be fired next following the Kings and Walton parting ways.