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NBA: Top 10 Coaching Candidates

By Aaron Ferguson

Apr 1, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
November 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton instructs against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 111-77. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Luke Walton

Teams Coached: Golden State Warriors (interim)
Career Record: 0-0
Postseason(s) and Record: 0 appearances, 0-0

Luke Walton was a Memphis Grizzlies assistant in 2011 and has been on the Golden State Warriors bench since 2014. Walton is most notably known for the coaching job he did while Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr was out for 43 games due to back surgery. Walton coached the Warriors to a 39-4 record during that time.

Walton, 36, talked with Knicks’ president of basketball operations Phil Jackson earlier this week. He has told Jackson that he is not interested in the Knicks’ head coaching position, according to the New York Daily News’ Frank Isola. Walton was previously offered a position as an assistant coach with the Knicks prior to taking the Warriors assistant coaching position, according to Isola.

The link between the two is that Jackson was Walton’s coach during his tenure as a player with the Lakers.

Walton is thought to be a hot coaching commodity due to his success while Kerr was out. He is a two-time NBA champion with the Lakers and was on the bench for the Warriors championship last season. Walton will likely land a job if he chooses to do so; however, his father and Hall of Famer, Bill Walton, believes that he shouldn’t leave the Warriors, according to ESPN.com.

Walton certainly has a bright coaching future ahead of him, but he has a great opportunity where he can be selective in getting his first coaching job.

Next: Victim Of The King