Bill Walton Urges Luke Walton Not To Leave Warriors For Knicks

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors are on pace to make history this year by potentially finishing the best record in NBA history. As a result of the team’s success, a certain member of Steve Kerr’s coaching staff is set to be a hot commodity for head coaching vacancies this summer.

Luke Walton made quite an impression as the team’s interim coach at the beginning of the season. Walton took over for Kerr while he was dealing with back issues and led the Warriors to an NBA record 24 straight wins.

Although Walton’s stock has never been higher, the 35-year-old’s father, Bill Walton, thinks his son shouldn’t leave Golden State to become a head coach elsewhere. The NBA legend said the following about his son’s immediate future via ESPN’s Ian Begley:

“I want what’s best for Luke Walton,” Walton told ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday, while promoting his new book, “Back from the Dead.” “I’m a warrior of the Golden State. It doesn’t get any better than what he’s got right now ever in life, and money will not make that happen again. It’s there now. Head coaching jobs, they’re open for a reason, and what he’s got, just stay there.”

The Warriors have a few prop bets going as the end of the regular season approaches. Along with being the favorite to win the 2016 NBA title with 10/13 odds (via Sportsbook.ag), Golden State has 2/13 odds to win an NBA-record 73 wins and 17/4 odds against.

With only 10 games remaining for the defending NBA champions, the chances are pretty high this team can do what was once thought to be impossible in finishing with a better record than Michael Jordan’s 95-96 Chicago Bulls.

Once the season comes to an end for the Warriors, Walton will be thrust into the spotlight once again. Regardless of how Golden State ends the 2015-16 campaign, the assistant coach will likely be the most-sought coach in the league.

Along with the New York Knicks, Walton’s former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, may also show considerable interest in his coaching services. Current head coach, Byron Scott, is currently on shaky ground with the Lakers heading toward the worst finish to a season in franchise history. Walton is an ideal candidate for the struggling team and could receive a call from Los Angeles as well as New York this summer.