Luke Walton reportedly told Phil Jackson he’s not currently interested in coaching the New York Knicks, per Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Perhaps Walton is just listening to dear old dad (read more about that here). Whatever the case, he’s smart to turn down this potential opportunity with the Knicks.
New York isn’t the only franchise that will be looking for a new head coach next year, but it might be one of the least desirable.
First off, anyone who does coach under Phil Jackson (if he stays instead of bolting for Los Angeles) will need to not only be well-versed in his triangle offense but also fully committed to it.
Secondly, the Knicks feature a roster of misfit parts that is led by an aging star who has never been much of a real team player. The only real prize here is Kristaps Porzingis, who is extremely talented but who also doesn’t quite have a defined role, given his size and skill set.
Thirdly, James Dolan is still in charge. Until he’s gone, the Knicks will likely continue to be a sinking ship.
Meanwhile, Walton could be looking at other jobs that would give him a much better chance to both create his own legacy apart from Jackson and work with better talent.
Teams like the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and even the Los Angeles Lakers might be in the market for a hot young head coach.
In the meantime, Walton will keep himself busy with helping Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors attempt to repeat as NBA champions. The young man has lots of options coming his way, and winning another championship will only further boost his already high stock.
There is a good chance Walton will be a rookie head coach for the 2016-17 season. It just won’t likely be with the Knicks.