Lakers hire Luke Walton as head coach

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Luke Walton.

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Luke Walton as their head coach, the team announced Friday.

According to the Los Angeles Times’ Mike Bresnahan, Walton’s deal is worth around $25 million over five years.

Walton is currently an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, who have advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Walton will finish the postseason with the Warriors before taking over in Los Angeles. 

“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. “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.”

• MORE NBA:Luke Walton is the coach Lakers wanted and needed

Walton served as the Warriors’ interim head coach at the start of this regular season, filling in for an ill Steve Kerr. He led the team to a 39–4 record before Kerr’s return.

“I’m incredibly happy for Luke,” Kerr said in a statement. “As we witnessed earlier this season, he has all of the intangibles necessary to be an outstanding head coach in this league, including a terrific understanding of the game the ability to communicate with a wide range of people. He’s certainly ready for this opportunity and I’m confident he’ll do a great job with the Lakers once our season is complete.”

• MORE NBA:Lee Jenkins profiled Warriors’ Luke Walton this season

Walton, the son of NBA legend Bill Walton, also played for the Lakers from 2003 to ‘12. He was a member of Los Angeles’s 2009 and 2010 championship teams.