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NBA: 5 Teams That Should Hire Luke Walton As Head Coach

By Aaron Ferguson

Dec 6, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe reacts as he is tended to by trainers after suffering an injury in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe reacts as he is tended to by trainers after suffering an injury in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have been in a downward spiral since Eric Bledsoe’s injury on Dec. 26. They have only won two games since his injury. Brandon Knight has been ineffective without his friend in the backcourt. The consequences were two Suns’ assistants being fired, and head coach Jeff Hornacek may be next.

Soon after the Bledsoe injury, reports broke that Hornacek’s job was in jeopardy, according to CBS Sports. Fairly or unfairly, his job has been on life alert ever since. Hornacek led the Suns to a 48-34 record last season and missed the playoffs. Following that great season with a 14-31, injury-ridden season has been tough for Hornacek and the Suns. But sending Marcus Morris away in a trade isn’t the reason for such a nose-dive.

The question is, where do the Suns go from here?

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Enter Luke Walton. Walton would have a great opportunity to succeed with the Suns. Phoenix has Bledsoe, Knight, Tyson Chandler and Markieff Morris under contract for the next three seasons. That doesn’t include rookie Devin Booker, who is making the most of his playing time due to injuries.

With the Suns plummeting in the standings, their odds of winning the lottery, no, not the Powerball, could lead to another good, young player. They have an additional first round picks from the Cavaliers. The future certainly looks bright for the Suns with their draft day potential.

Walton would have the opportunity to take over a team with good guard play, like the Warriors, and have a rim protector and rebound-eater in the frontcourt. It would be a good scenario for Walton to take over a team that should be a playoff threat.

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Walton’s coaching opportunities will be there this offseason, thanks to Steve Kerr’s back surgeries. The fact that teams already have a 43-game sample of what Walton can do, though the wins aren’t attributed to him, will be valuable to front offices looking for a new coach. Walton is certainly in a power position going forward.