Sacramento would have interest in Luke Walton if they fire Dave Joerger
Bruno Manrique
The Sacramento Kings are reportedly looking at Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton as a potential replacement for Dave Joerger, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.
Neither head coach is available at the moment, but Joerger is reportedly in deep waters with the Kings front office and newly-extended general manager Vlade Divac, who will now stay with the team until 2022-23 season.
Walton has been in an icy situation himself, as the newly-resigned president of basketball operations Magic Johnson recently admitted he was preparing to make a decision on Walton's future before he stepped down from his post.
The Lakers are expected to let him go as soon as today, according to Stein, which would make for a wild chain of events if the Kings choose to do the same following Divac's contract extension.
The Kings excelled to start the season, going 30-26 through the initial stretch, but tailing off with a 9-17 record the rest of the way, falling nine games out of playoff contention despite being within reach of the L.A. Clippers, who mustered the eighth spot in the Western Conference.
Joerger has also had run-ins with Divac's right-hand man, assistant GM Brandon Williams — which has put him in poor favor in the eyes of the executive branch of the organization.
His feud with Williams involves the latter meddling in his coaching and a few remarks made by Divac to back up Joerger, while still protecting Williams and taking no further action.
If Luke Walton does indeed come out as the Kings' top choice to replace Joerger, a strong rapport with Williams and Divac will be needed to avoid another implosion within the franchise.
JUST IN: Report: Kings GM Vlade Divac to fire coach Dave Joerger in face-to-face meeting
Related TopicsDave JoergerKingsLakersLuke Walton
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