A Royal Pain
Fansided

Opinion: Luke Walton Will Be The Coach Of The Kings Next Season

By Anthony Cardenas

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: Luke Walton (second from left) head coach of the Sacramento Kings talks with his assistant coaches during a timeout in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center on December 11, 2019 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: Luke Walton (second from left) head coach of the Sacramento Kings talks with his assistant coaches during a timeout in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center on December 11, 2019 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next

Despite a sluggish start to the season and constant calls for his job, it seems like Luke Walton has done enough to buy him another season as head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Like everyone else associated with the Sacramento Kings, it has been a roller coaster of a season for head coach Luke Walton. A sluggish 0-5 start led to far-too-early calls for Walton’s job by a fan base that was skeptical of the firing of former coach Dave Joerger.

The Kings seemed to be turning a corner in early December. They climbed back to get themselves to a 12–14 record, and the chatter about Walton’s future began to cool. Unfortunately for him and the team, their luck ran out as they endured a stretch of 15 losses in 18 games during the holiday season.

Fans were fed up. Another lost season due to ineptitude by the front office that led to the firing of a popular coach and the hiring of an unsuccessful one; a situation far too familiar and fresh on the minds of a tortured fan base.

Even those who were certain that Walton would remain the coach no matter what, given his 4-year contract, began to believe that the Kings has no choice but to make a change. This revelation was aided by the recent reports of unhappiness from owner Vivek Ranadive. If the owner is not pleased with the situation, there is a chance for change across the board, right?

Must Read. NBA Mock Draft 1.0. light

However, the current situation that the Kings find themselves in could make Ranadive’s off season decisions a whole lot harder. Or easier, depending on how you look at it.

Sacramento has, somehow, crawled their way back in to playoff contention, and will be playing very meaningful games well in to March. One of the most apparent reasons for the sudden success has to do with the decision Walton made to move Buddy Hield to the bench and Bogdan Bogdanovic in to the starting lineup back on January 24th. The abysmal stretch ended the day that Walton made the switch, and Kings have a record of 13-6 ever since.

Home/Kings News