View source for Luke Walton

{{short description|American basketball coach and player (born 1980)}}
{{for multi|the rower|Luke Walton (rower)|other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Luke Walton
| image = Luke Walton1 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Walton with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in 2008
| team = Detroit Pistons
| position = Lead assistant coach
| league = [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|3|28}}
| birth_place = [[San Diego, California]], U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 8
| weight_lb = 235
| high_school = [[University of San Diego High School|University of San Diego HS]]<br/>(San Diego, California)
| college = [[Arizona Wildcats men's basketball|Arizona]] (1999–2003)
| draft_year = 2003
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 32
| draft_team = [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
| career_start = 2003
| career_end = 2013
| career_position = [[Small forward]] / [[power forward]]
| career_number = 4, 32
| coach_start = 2011
| years1 = {{nbay|2003|start}}–{{nbay|2011|end}}
| team1 = [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
| years2 = {{nbay|2011|end}}–{{nbay|2012|end}}
| team2 = [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| cyears1 = [[2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2011]]
| cteam1 = [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis Tigers]] (assistant)
| cyears2 = [[2013–14 NBA Development League season|2013–2014]]
| cteam2 = [[Los Angeles D-Fenders]] (player development)
| cyears3 = {{nbay|2014|start}}–{{nbay|2015|end}}
| cteam3 = [[Golden State Warriors]] (assistant)
| cyears4 = {{nbay|2016|start}}–{{nbay|2018|end}}
| cteam4= Los Angeles Lakers
| cyears5 = {{nbay|2019|start}}–{{nbay|2021|start}}
| cteam5 = [[Sacramento Kings]]
| cyears6 = {{nbay|2022|start}}–{{nbay|2023|end}}
| cteam6 = Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)
| cyears7 = {{nbay|2024|start}}–present
| cteam7 = [[Detroit Pistons]] (lead assistant)
| highlights = 
'''As player:'''
* 2× [[List of NBA champions|NBA champion]] ({{nbafy|2009}}, {{nbafy|2010}})
* Second-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] – [[Sporting News|SN]] ([[2002 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|2002]])
* 2× First-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference men's basketball teams|All-Pac-10]] ([[2001–02 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2002]], [[2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2003]])
*[[2002 Pacific-10 Conference men's basketball tournament|Pac-10 tournament MVP]] ([[2002 Pacific-10 Conference men's basketball tournament|2002]])
'''As assistant coach:'''
* [[List of NBA champions|NBA champion]] ({{nbafy|2015}})
| stats_league = NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 2,649 (4.7 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 1,588 (2.8 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 1,317 (2.3 apg)
}}
'''Luke Theodore Walton''' (born March 28, 1980) is an American professional [[basketball]] coach and former player who is the lead assistant coach for the [[Detroit Pistons]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). He played 10 seasons in the NBA as a [[forward (basketball)|forward]], winning two [[NBA championship]]s with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]]. He also won a title as an assistant coach with the [[Golden State Warriors]] before serving as the head coach of the Lakers from 2016 through 2019. Additionally, Walton served as the head coach of the [[Sacramento Kings]] from 2019 to 2021.

Walton played [[college basketball]] with the [[Arizona Wildcats men's basketball|Arizona Wildcats]]. He was a second-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] and a two-time first-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference men's basketball teams|all-conference]] selection in the [[Pac-12 Conference men's basketball|Pac-10]]. He was selected in the second round of the [[2003 NBA draft]] by the Lakers. After the [[2010 NBA Finals]], Walton and his father, [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Bill Walton]], became the first father and son to have both won multiple NBA championships: Bill won in [[1977 NBA Finals|1977]] and [[1986 NBA Finals|1986]], and Luke in [[2009 NBA Finals|2009]] and [[2010 NBA Finals|2010]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Tomasson, Chris |url=http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/15/bill-walton-im-back-in-the-game-of-life/ |title=Bill Walton "I'm Back In The Game Of Life" |publisher=NBA.FanHouse.com |date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=June 26, 2010}}</ref> His best season statistically was 2006–07 with over 11 points, 5 rebounds, and over 4 assists per game.

As the Warriors' interim head coach in 2015–16, he guided the team to the longest winning streak to open a season in league history at 24 games.

==Early life==
The son of Susie and former [[UCLA]] star and NBA Hall-of-Famer [[Bill Walton]], Luke Walton was born in San Diego, California.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luke Walton's vision for the Lakers: Be like the Celtics |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/presents3/how-celtics-taught-lakers-coach-luke-walton-love-basketball |access-date=January 20, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2008 |title=Walton now on the opposite side |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2008/06/02/walton-now-on-the-opposite-side/amp/ |access-date=January 20, 2025 |website=Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref> He was named after his father's close friend and former [[Portland Trail Blazers]] teammate [[Maurice Lucas]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://wc.arizona.edu/papers/96/111/02_2.html|title = From playing partners to parenthood|last = Wolfson|first = Maxx|date = March 7, 2013|work = Arizona Daily Wildcat|access-date = October 18, 2015}}</ref> He has three brothers: Adam, Nathan, and Chris. Walton attended [[University of San Diego High School]] in [[San Diego|San Diego, California]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Stevenson|first=Samantha|title=A Light Shines on Walton Mountain|date=December 26, 1996|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/26/sports/a-light-shines-on-walton-mountain.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121135930/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/26/sports/a-light-shines-on-walton-mountain.html|archive-date=January 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> graduating in 1998.

==College career==
Walton played basketball at the [[University of Arizona]] under coach [[Lute Olson]]. A two-time first-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference men's basketball teams|All-Pac-10]] selection,<ref>{{cite web |title=Pac-12 Conference 2011–12 Men's Basketball Media Guide |page=121 |publisher=[[Pac-12 Conference]] |year=2011 |url=http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/issue/45931 |access-date=March 18, 2022}}</ref> his best year statistically was as a junior, when he averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. During his senior year he averaged 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 0.9 steals per game.

Walton graduated from Arizona in the spring of 2003 after completing work in family studies and human development.

==Professional career==
===Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2012)===
Walton was selected by the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the [[2003 NBA draft]] with the second pick of the second round (32nd overall). Walton was a favorite of Lakers fans during his nine-year stint and earned a reputation as a selfless, hard-working [[reserve (sport)|reserve]] player.<ref>{{cite news|last=Plaschke |first=Bill |title=Lakers go back to a sweet spot with hiring of Luke Walton |date=April 29, 2016 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-walton-plaschke-20160430-column.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502022205/http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-walton-plaschke-20160430-column.html |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was chosen to represent Team Los Angeles in the [[NBA All-Star Weekend Shooting Stars Competition|Shooting Stars Competition]] during [[2005 NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Weekend]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/allstar2005/shooting_stars/ |title=RadioShack Shooting Stars |website=[[NBA.com]] |access-date=February 19, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327005754/http://www.nba.com/allstar2005/shooting_stars/ |archive-date=March 27, 2017 }} 
</ref>

In [[2006–07 Los Angeles Lakers season|2006–07]], Walton had his best year in the NBA. He scored a career-high 25 points against the [[Atlanta Hawks]] on December 8, 2006. For the season he posted career-high per-game averages in minutes, field goal percentage, steals, blocks, rebounds, assists and points as the Lakers starting [[small forward]]. Following the season, on July 12, 2007, Walton was signed by the Lakers to a 6-year, $30 million contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheridan |first=Chris |date=July 1, 2007 |title=Lakers, Walton agree to six-year, $30 million deal |url=http://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2922663 |access-date=October 19, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The Lakers then made three straight runs to the NBA Finals; they lost to the Celtics in [[2008 NBA Finals|2008]], but defeated the Magic in [[2009 NBA Finals|2009]] and Celtics in [[2010 NBA Finals|2010]] to win back-to-back championships. This gave Walton two championships as a player, the same amount his father won.

===Cleveland Cavaliers (2012–2013)===
On March 15, 2012, Walton was traded along with [[Jason Kapono]] and a 2012 first-round draft choice to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] for [[Ramon Sessions]] and [[Christian Eyenga]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Cavaliers Acquire 2012 First Round Pick, Kapono, Walton and Right To Swap 2013 First Round Picks From Lakers | url = http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/trade_120315.html | work = [[NBA.com]] | date = March 15, 2012 | access-date = March 15, 2012}}</ref>

A year later would be Walton's final days as an NBA player, as his final game was on April 5, 2013, in a 97–91 victory over the [[Boston Celtics]]. In his final game Walton recorded 2 assists in 3 minutes of playing time.

==Coaching career==

===Early coaching career===
Walton's first coaching experience was with the [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|University of Memphis]], which hired Walton as an assistant coach during the [[2011 NBA lockout]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gotigersgo.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/082211aaa.html|title=Pastner Recommends Luke Walton For Tigers Hoops Assistant Coach Position|website=Gotigersgo.com|access-date=October 19, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321133433/http://www.gotigersgo.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/082211aaa.html|archive-date=March 21, 2012}}</ref> He remained an assistant at Memphis until the lockout was over.

Following his retirement Walton was hired as a player development coach by the [[Los Angeles D-Fenders]] of the [[NBA Development League]], joining the team in November 2013 for the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=14725|title=Luke Walton hired as player development coach in D-League :InsideHoops|website=Insidehoops.com|access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref>

===Golden State Warriors (2014–2016)===
The following season in [[2014–15 Golden State Warriors season|2014–15]], Walton became an assistant coach for the [[Golden State Warriors]]. Said Walton, "We are gonna run parts of the [[triangle offense]], and I know that thing front and back."<ref name="GSWCoach">{{cite web|publisher=[[Golden State Warriors]]|url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warriors-announce-steve-kerrs-coaching-staff|title=Warriors Announce Steve Kerr's Coaching Staff|date=July 3, 2014}}</ref> The Warriors won the [[2015 NBA Finals]] after they defeated the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] in six games to give Walton his third NBA championship and first as a coach.

During [[2015–16 Golden State Warriors season|2015–16]] training camp in October 2015, Walton was appointed as the Warriors interim head coach when [[Steve Kerr]] took an indefinite leave of absence to rehabilitate his back that had been bothering him after the NBA Finals.<ref name=InterimCoach>{{cite news|last1=Pincus|first1=Eric|title=Former Laker Luke Walton named Warriors' interim head coach|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-luke-walton-warriors-interim-coach-20151001-story.html|access-date=October 18, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/kerr-leave-of-absence-20151001|title=Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr to Take a Leave of Absence to Focus on Back Rehab|work=NBA.com|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref> Walton made his coaching debut in the season opener on October 27 in a 111–95 win over the [[New Orleans Pelicans]]. Three games later, he presided over the third-largest margin of victory in franchise history when the Warriors defeated the [[Memphis Grizzlies]], 119–69, which was also the largest margin in the league since 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Curry-Warriors-beat-Grizzlies-by-50-yes-50-6606675.php|title=Stephen Curry, Warriors beat Grizzlies by 50 — yes, 50|newspaper=Sfgate|date=November 3, 2015|access-date=October 19, 2017|last1=Kroichick|first1=Ron}}</ref> The Warriors set a new NBA record by winning their first four games by a total margin of 100 points.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kroichick|first1=Ron|title=Warriors survive 1st tough test, beat Clippers 112-108|url=http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-survive-first-tough-test-beat-Clippers-6611876.php|work=SFGate|date=November 5, 2015}}</ref> With a win over the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] on November 24, he guided the Warriors to a 16th consecutive victory to start the season, a new NBA record.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Simmons|first1=Rusty|title=Warriors dominate in historic 16th straight win|url=http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-dominate-in-historic-16th-straight-win-6656060.php|work=SFGate|date=November 24, 2015}}</ref>

Walton was named the NBA [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] Coach of the Month for games played in October and November, after guiding Golden State to a 19–0 start.<ref>{{Cite press release | url=http://www.nba.com/2015/news/12/01/cavaliers-david-blatt-and-warriors-luke-walton-named-coaches-of-month/index.html | title=Cavs' Blatt, Warriors' Walton named Coaches of Month|publisher=NBA| date=December 1, 2015 | access-date=December 13, 2015}}</ref> He received the award despite technically being winless, since the Warriors' record was credited to Kerr. Since Kerr was still the head coach, NBA rules stipulated that the team's record under an interim coach be credited to the head coach,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kroichick|first1=Ron|title=Walton's early success boosts Kerr's career record|url=http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Walton-s-early-success-boosts-Kerr-s-career-6611683.php|work=SFGate|date=November 4, 2015}}</ref> though the league considered altering the rule given Walton's case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nba-news/4662300-luke-walton-coaching-record-wins-steve-kerr-warriors-coaching-record-stephen-curry|website=[[Sporting News]]|title=NBA reportedly considers crediting Luke Walton with Warriors' wins|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref> However, the NBA permits an interim or acting head coach to be eligible for coaching awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/14266781/golden-state-warriors-interim-head-coach-luke-walton-eligible-awards-not-credited-wins|title=Luke Walton named NBA Coach of the Month despite being 'winless'|website=[[ESPN]]|date=December 2015|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref> The Warriors extended their record start to 24–0. They were 39–4, the second-best start in league history, when Kerr resumed coaching full-time on January 22, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last=Spears |first=Marc J. |title=Steve Kerr set to return to coach Warriors |date=January 22, 2016 |work=Yahoo Sports |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/steve-kerr-set-to-return-to-coach-warriors-194518582.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124203120/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/steve-kerr-set-to-return-to-coach-warriors-194518582.html |archive-date=January 24, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Golden State ended the season an NBA-record 73–9, and Kerr was voted the [[NBA Coach of the Year]]. The coach had Walton, who coached more games during the season than Kerr (43–39), sit next to him on the podium at the award press conference. Walton finished ninth in the voting, receiving one second-place and two third-place votes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Steward |first=Carl |title=Warriors' Steve Kerr is NBA's Coach of the Year |date=April 26, 2016 |newspaper=The Mercury News |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_29815060/report-warriors-steve-kerr-named-nbas-top-coach |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428052732/http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_29815060/report-warriors-steve-kerr-named-nbas-top-coach |archive-date=April 28, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Los Angeles Lakers (2016–2019)===
On April 29, 2016, the Lakers hired Walton to become their new head coach once the Warriors' season ended in the [[2016 NBA Finals]]. He replaced [[Byron Scott]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/160429_lukewalton|title=Lakers Announce Agreement With Luke Walton to Become New Head Coach|work=NBA.com|date=April 29, 2016|access-date=April 29, 2016}}</ref>

In his first season with the Lakers, the team improved upon their franchise worst 17–65 record from the previous year, finishing 26–56. During the season, [[Mitch Kupchak]] and [[Jim Buss]] were replaced by [[Magic Johnson]] and [[Rob Pelinka]]. Johnson and Pelinka both spoke highly of Walton and said he would remain the head coach of the team.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} The Lakers won five of their last six games of the season, bringing some momentum into the off-season.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

Walton's second season with the Lakers saw another slight improvement, as the team finished 35–47, its best record since the 2012–13 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Los Angeles Lakers Franchise Index|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/|access-date=October 22, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en}}</ref>

In [[2018–19 Los Angeles Lakers season|2018–19]], the Lakers had high expectations after signing [[LeBron James]] to a four-year, $153.3 million contract.<ref name=mcmenamin_04122019>{{cite news|first1=Dave|last1=McMenamin|first2=Ohm|last2=Youngmisuk|title=Luke Walton couldn't outcoach the Lakers' dysfunction|date=April 12, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=http://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26480132/luke-walton-outcoach-lakers-dysfunction|access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref><ref name=youngmisuk_04122019/> Along with James and a core of young prospects, the front office completed the roster with veterans on one-year deals, a group that was rich in ball handlers but lacking in shooters.<ref name=youngmisuk_04122019/> Johnson initially preached patience during the preseason.<ref name=youngmisuk_04122019/> After the team started the season 2–5, Johnson reprimanded Walton and demanded immediate results.<ref name=mcmenamin_04122019/> The Lakers were 20–14 after a Christmas win over Golden State, but James and [[Rajon Rondo]] were injured during the game, which began a downturn from which the team never recovered, ending the season 37–45. Combined with season-ending injuries to [[Lonzo Ball]] and [[Brandon Ingram]], the combination of James, Ball and Ingram played together for just 23 games, when they were 15–8. As a team, Lakers players missed over 210 games due to injuries, and Walton used more than 25 different starting lineups during the season.<ref name=youngmisuk_04122019/> Prior to the season finale, Johnson resigned, citing among his reasons that he wished to avoid conflict with owner [[Jeanie Buss]], who supported Walton, while Johnson planned to fire him.<ref name=mcmenamin_04122019/> Days later on April 12, 2019, Walton and the Lakers agreed to mutually part ways.<ref name=youngmisuk_04122019/><ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Lakers and Luke Walton Mutually Agree to Part Ways |url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/190412-luke-walton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412210440/https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/190412-luke-walton |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |website=NBA.com |access-date=April 13, 2019 |date=April 12, 2019}}</ref> The Lakers went 98–148 under Walton and missed the playoffs in all three seasons.<ref name=youngmisuk_04122019>{{cite web |last1=Youngmisuk |first1=Ohm |title=Sources: Lakers coach search eyes Lue, Williams |url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26507762/lakers-coach-search-eyes-lue-williams |website=ESPN.com |access-date=April 12, 2019 |date=April 12, 2019}}</ref>

===Sacramento Kings (2019–2021)===
On April 14, 2019, Walton was hired by the [[Sacramento Kings]] as their head coach.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kings Announce Luke Walton as Head Coach |url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-announce-luke-walton-head-coach |website=NBA.com |access-date=April 15, 2019 |date=April 14, 2019}}</ref> He and Kings general manager [[Vlade Divac]] had been teammates with the Lakers in [[2004–05 Los Angeles Lakers season|2004–05]], which was Divac's final NBA season after spending six with Sacramento.<ref>{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jason|title=Tales of Vlade Divac's Kings and Luke Walton's Lakers spotlight importance of trust|date=April 18, 2019|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article229403389.html|access-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref> The Kings began the [[2019–20 Sacramento Kings season|2019–20 season]] 0–5 after losing forward [[Marvin Bagley III]] for weeks when he suffered a broken thumb in the closing minutes of a 29-point, season-opening loss to the [[Phoenix Suns]]. Sacramento rebounded from their slow start to win six of their next eight.<ref>{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jason|title=Kings coach Luke Walton faces decisions with Marvin Bagley III almost ready to return|date=November 20, 2019|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article237575509.html|access-date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> They ended the season 31–41, and Divac resigned  after the season.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Golliver|title=Vlade Divac steps down as Kings GM as 14-year playoff drought continues|date=August 14, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/08/14/vlade-divac-steps-down-kings-gm-14-year-playoff-drought-continues/|access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref> The Kings finished 31–41 again in [[2020–21 Sacramento Kings season|2020–21]],<ref>{{cite news|first=Dalton|last=Johnson|title=Kings fire Walton in third season as coach after slow start|date=November 22, 2021|website=NBCSports.com|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings/kings-fire-luke-walton-third-season-head-coach-after-slow-start|access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref> extending the franchise's playoff drought to 15 seasons, which was the longest active streak in the league.<ref name=wojnarowski_11212021/> On November 21, 2021, the Kings fired Walton after a 6–11 start to the [[2021–22 Sacramento Kings season|2021–22 season]]. He was 68–93 in his two-plus seasons with the team.<ref name=wojnarowski_11212021>{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |title=Sacramento Kings fire Luke Walton, name Alvin Gentry interim coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32682460/sources-sacramento-kings-fire-coach-luke-walton-6-11-start |website=ESPN.com |access-date=November 22, 2021 |date=November 21, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Luke Walton Relieved as Kings Head Coach |url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/luke-walton-relieved-kings-head-coach |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 22, 2021 |date=November 21, 2021}}</ref>

===Cleveland Cavaliers (2022–2024)===
On May 31, 2022, the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] hired Walton as an assistant coach to serve under [[J. B. Bickerstaff]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cavaliers Hire Luke Walton as Assistant Coach|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/walton-hiring-220531 |website=NBA.com |access-date=May 31, 2022 |date=May 31, 2022}}</ref>

===Detroit Pistons (2024–present)===
On July 12, 2024, the [[Detroit Pistons]] hired Walton as the lead assistant coach to stay with [[J. B. Bickerstaff]].

==Broadcasting career==
Walton was hired by [[Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)|Spectrum SportsNet]] (known then as Time Warner Cable SportsNet) in 2013 to join their Lakers on-air broadcast team.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pincus |first=Eric |title=Byron Scott and Luke Walton join TWC SportsNet broadcast team |date=October 3, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-byron-scott-luke-walton-join-twc-sportsnet-20131003-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121146/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/03/sports/la-sp-ln-byron-scott-luke-walton-join-twc-sportsnet-20131003 |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
In December 2008, a woman named Stacy Elizabeth Beshear pleaded [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] to charges of stalking Walton. At one point, she pulled up to Walton's car and "pretended to fire gunshots at him with her hand." She was sentenced to three years' probation, told to attend weekly counseling sessions for a year and ordered to stay away for three years from Walton's home and from the Lakers' games and practices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winton |first=Richard |date=December 19, 2008 |title=Luke Walton's stalker pleads no contest, sentenced to probation |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/12/an-el-segundo-w.html |access-date=July 16, 2021 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2009, Walton and his father became the third [[List of second-generation National Basketball Association players|father-son duo]] to both win [[NBA Finals|NBA championships]] as players, following the Guokases ([[Matt Guokas Sr.|Matt Sr.]] and [[Matt Guokas|Matt Jr.]]) and the Barrys ([[Rick Barry|Rick]] and [[Brent Barry|Brent]]).<ref>{{cite web|first=Ross|last=Siler|title=Jazz: Matthews 'born a champion'|date=April 15, 2010|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|url=https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/jazz/ci_14893155|access-date=August 15, 2022}}</ref> The Waltons later became the first father-son duo to each win multiple NBA titles.<ref>{{cite work|first=Luke|last=Norris|title=How Many Father-Son Combos Have Won NBA Championships?|date=June 17, 2022|work=Sportscasting|url=https://www.sportscasting.com/how-many-father-son-combos-have-won-nba-championships/|access-date=August 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Byron Scott and Luke Walton Join Time Warner Cable SportsNet|date=October 3, 2013|publisher=Los Angeles Lakers|url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/131003_scottwalton_twcsn|access-date=August 15, 2022}}</ref>

Walton married long-time girlfriend Bre Ladd in 2013. The two met in 2002 at the University of Arizona, where she played [[volleyball]] on their [[varsity team]], and started dating in 2005.<ref>
{{cite news|last=Bell|first=Diane|title=NBA's Luke Walton to marry Saturday in Aspen, Colo.|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/aug/16/luke-walton-nba-basketball-lakers-wedding-aspen/|date=August 16, 2013|newspaper=UT San Diego|access-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name=darden_04222019>{{cite news|last=Darden|first=Hannah|title=Kings coach Luke Walton is married. He's also been the victim of stalking|date=April 22, 2019|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article229567324.html#storylink=related_inline|access-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref> They have two children.<ref name=darden_04222019/>

On April 22, 2019, former Spectrum SportsNet host Kelli Tennant filed a civil lawsuit against Walton, accusing him of [[sexual assault]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/25/nba-kings-launch-investigation-luke-walton|title=Kings, NBA begin sex-assault inquiry into coach Walton|date=April 25, 2019|website=NBA.com|access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name=mccann_05012019>{{cite news|last=McCann|first=Michael|title=Analyzing Kelli Tennant's Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Kings Coach Luke Walton|date=April 29, 2019|website=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/04/28/luke-walton-kelli-tennant-sexual-assault-lawsuit-lakers-warriors-kings|access-date=May 1, 2019}}</ref> They had appeared on the network together during Walton's brief broadcasting stint.<ref name=tanguli_04222019/> She published a book in 2014,<ref name=tanguli_04222019/> which credits him as being the author of the foreword,<ref name=mcgough_12052019/> which he later denied writing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Court Brief: Sacramento Kings Coach Luke Walton Says Sex Assault Claim Lacks Facts|date=July 8, 2019|website=Sacramento.CBSLocal.com|url=https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2019/07/08/luke-walton-sacramento-kings-court-brief-sex-assault-claim/|access-date=May 14, 2020|quote=In the filing, Walton said he did not write a forward for Tennant’s book and does not consider himself a mentor to her.}}</ref> She alleged that the assault occurred afterwards, when she dropped off a copy of the book to Walton in a hotel in [[Santa Monica, California]], while he was an assistant with Golden State.<ref name=tanguli_04222019>{{cite news|last=Tanguli|first=Tania|title=Luke Walton accused of sexual assault by former SportsNet host Kelli Tennant|date=April 22, 2019|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-luke-walton-sexual-assault-lawsuit-lakers-kings-20190422-story.html|access-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref> According to Tennant, he invited her to his room, where he pinned her on the bed. He kissed her face, neck and chest and groped her breasts and groin area. She said he later rubbed his erection against her leg.<ref name=mccann_05012019/> Walton denied the charges;<ref name=sabalow_08232019>{{cite news|last1=Sabalow|first1=Ryan|last2=Kasler|first2=Dale|last3=Bizjak|first3=Tony|title=In the #MeToo era, Luke Walton's accuser refused to talk to the Kings. Here's why|date=August 23, 2019|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article234317852.html|access-date=December 5, 2019}}</ref> he acknowledged their meeting at the hotel, but wrote in court filings that "their encounter was very short, entirely pleasant and consensual."<ref name=mcgough_12052019>{{cite news|last1=McGough|first1=Michael|last2=Anderson|first2=Jason|last3=Bizjak|first3=Tony|title=Sexual assault lawsuit against Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton dropped|date=December 5, 2019|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article238071519.html|access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref> The Kings and the NBA launched a joint investigation into her claims against Walton.<ref name=mccann_05012019/> In August, the investigators concluded that there was "not a sufficient basis to support" the accusations.<ref>{{cite news|title=NBA, Kings close Walton sexual assault case|date=August 23, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27447816/nba-kings-close-walton-sexual-assault-case|access-date=August 23, 2019}}</ref> Tennant declined to participate in the investigation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Draper|first=Kevin|title=N.B.A. Closes Luke Walton Sexual Assault Investigation|date=August 23, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/sports/basketball/luke-walton-kelli-tennant.html|access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Moskovitz|first=Diane|title=The NBA Tries To Make Its Luke Walton Problem Go Away|date=August 23, 2019|work=Deadspin|url=https://deadspin.com/the-nba-tries-to-make-its-luke-walton-problem-go-away-1837515337|access-date=December 5, 2019}}</ref> On December 5, the lawsuit was dropped at her request, with records showing it was dismissed "with prejudice", meaning she cannot re-file. It was not known whether a settlement was reached.<ref name=mcgough_12052019/>

==NBA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y}}

===Regular season===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2003}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 72 || 2 || 10.1 || .425 || .333 || .705 || 1.8 || 1.6 || .4 || .1 || 2.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2004}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2004–05 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 61 || 5 || 12.6 || .411 || .262 || .708 || 2.3 || 1.5 || .4 || .2 || 3.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2005}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 69 || 6 || 19.3 || .412 || .327 || '''.750''' || 3.6 || 2.3 || .6 || .2 || 5.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2006}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2006–07 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 60 || '''60''' || '''33.0''' || '''.474''' || .387 || .745 || '''5.0''' || '''4.3''' || '''1.0''' || '''.4''' || '''11.4'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2007}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2007–08 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| '''74''' || 31 || 23.4 || .450 || .333 || .706 || 3.9 || 2.9 || .8 || .2 || 7.2
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|{{nbay|2008}}†
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008–09 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 65 || 34 || 17.9 || .436 || .298 || .719 || 2.8 || 2.7 || .5 || .2 || 5.0
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|{{nbay|2009}}†
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2009–10 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 29 || 0 || 9.4 || .357 || .412 || .500 || 1.3 || 1.4 || .3 || .0 || 2.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2010}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2010–11 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 54 || 0 || 9.0 || .328 || .235 || .700 || 1.2 || 1.1 || .2 || .1 || 1.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2011}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2011–12 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 9 || 0 || 7.2 || .429 || .000 || .000 || 1.6 || .6 || .2 || .0 || 1.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2011}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2011–12 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland]]
| 21 || 0 || 14.2 || .353 || '''.438''' || .000 || 1.7 || 1.4 || .1 || .0 || 2.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2012}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2012–13 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland]]
| 50 || 0 || 17.1 || .392 || .299 || .500 || 2.9 || 3.3 || .8 || .3 || 3.4
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 564 || 138 || 17.2 || .429 || .326 || .715 || 2.8|| 2.3 || .6 || .2 || 4.7
{{s-end}}

===Playoffs===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2004 NBA playoffs|2004]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 17 || 0 || 7.9 || .345 || .385 || .700 || 1.3 || 1.5 || .4 || .1 || 1.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2006 NBA playoffs|2006]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 7 || '''7''' || '''33.6''' || '''.458''' || .364 || '''1.000''' || '''6.4''' || 1.7 || 1.0 || .1 || '''12.1'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2007 NBA playoffs|2007]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2006–07 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 5 || 5 || 25.6 || .389 || .417 || .750 || 4.2 || '''2.6''' || '''1.4''' || '''.2''' || 7.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2008 NBA playoffs|2008]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2007–08 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| '''21''' || 0 || 16.8 || .454 || '''.423''' || .722 || 2.6 || 2.0 || .5 || '''.2''' || 6.0
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|[[2009 NBA playoffs|2009]]†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2008–09 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
|'''21''' || 0 || 15.8 || .427 || .313 || .611 || 2.5 || 2.1 || .7 || .1 || 3.8
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|[[2010 NBA playoffs|2010]]†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2009–10 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 16 || 0 || 6.0 || .304 || .222 || .500 || .5 || .9 || .1 || .1 || 1.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2011 NBA playoffs|2011]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2010–11 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 1 || 0 || 4.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 88 || 12 || 14.6 || .420 || .360 || .701 || 2.3 || 1.7 || .5 || .1 || 4.3
{{s-end}}

==Head coaching record==
{{NBA coach statistics legend}}
{{NBA coach statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2016–17 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2016}}
| 82 || 26 || 56 || {{Winning percentage|26|56}} || 4th in [[Pacific Division (NBA)|Pacific]] || — || — || — || — || Missed playoffs
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2017–18 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2017}}
| 82 || 35 || 47 || {{Winning percentage|35|47}} || 3rd in Pacific || — || — || — || — || Missed playoffs
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2018–19 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2018}}
| 82 || 37 || 45 || {{Winning percentage|37|45}} || 4th in Pacific || — || — || — || — || Missed playoffs
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2019–20 Sacramento Kings season|Sacramento]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2019}}
| 72 || 31 || 41 || {{Winning percentage|31|41}} || 4th in Pacific || — || — || — || — || Missed playoffs
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2020–21 Sacramento Kings season|Sacramento]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2020}}
| 72 || 31 || 41 || {{Winning percentage|31|41}} || 5th in Pacific || — || — || — || — || Missed playoffs
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2021–22 Sacramento Kings season|Sacramento]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2021}}
| 17 || 6 || 11 || {{Winning percentage|6|11}} || (fired) || — || — || — || — || —
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 407 || 166 || 241 || {{Winning percentage|166|241}} || &nbsp; || — || — || — || — || 
{{s-end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
{{basketballstats |nba=2575 |bbr=w/waltolu01}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Walton, Luke}}
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