The Los Angeles Lakers’ search for their next head coach rolls on.
After recently receiving permission to interview San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina, it appears the same can be said about perhaps the top candidate on their list.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told ESPN’s Marc Spears that his assistant coach and former Laker player, Luke Walton, will be allowed to interview for the vacant head coaching position in Los Angeles, on one condition.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak has called asking for permission to speak Luke Walton.Permission granted after series
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) April 28, 2016
The Warriors lead their series with the Houston Rockets, 3-1, and can close out the series with a win tonight at Oracle Arena. That would allow Kupchak and Jim Buss to interview Walton, who is reportedly the No. 1 option on their list.
Walton filled in for Kerr this season as the latter missed the first 43 games due to his recovery from offseason back surgery. In those games, the Warriors started 24-0 and went 39-4 overall with Walton at the helm.
Kupchak has stated that he did not want this process to drag out, and receiving permission to discuss the job opening with Walton could be what really speeds things up.
