Latest Los Angeles Lakers rumors on Anthony Davis trade, Lonzo Ball, more

Jason Kidd to replace Luke Walton?

For most of the 2018-19 NBA season, we’ve been hearing rumblings of Luke Walton’s demise as the Lakers’ head coach. The volume has increased steadily in recent weeks, as Los Angeles floundered with LeBron out of the lineup.

Now it appears a candidate has emerged to take Walton’s place as the leader of the media’s favorite NBA team. According to Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher, Jason Kidd could be the guy for the job if Magic Johnson decides to cut the cord with the Lakers’ current head coach:

"“Another development that I’m hearing is gaining momentum, and that’s the possibility of Jason Kidd returning to the coaching ranks by succeeding Luke Walton with the Lakers. Now, I first heard Kidd’s name connected with the Lakers a while back. Right about the time the first round of, ‘Is Luke Walton on the hot seat?’ stories came out. And Jeanie Buss, head of the Lakers, threw a bucket of water on that seat, cooled it off… Well, now sources are saying that the Lakers have actually gotten back to him and that this has gone to the next level. And that if the Lakers do make a move on Luke – which, based on all of the rumblings, could happen sooner rather than later – Kidd appears to be very much in the mix and possibly is even the favorite.”"

Honestly, this seems like nothing more than rumor fodder. Kidd was an unmitigated disaster as a head coach, failing to connect with his players and ending his first run as a head coach with a .491 winning percentage. That may not seem terrible, but it is when you consider the talent he had to work with during those five seasons.

Only time will tell, though. Despite the front office’s insistence that Walton is safe, talk of his demise won’t quiet down. If the Lakers’ losing ways drag on, don’t be surprised if Walton is sent packing. Whether or not Kidd replaces him, however, is a whole different story.