Los Angeles Lakers won't fire head coach Luke Walton during season
Thursday 14 February 2019 06:37, UK
LA Lakers head coach Luke Walton "will definitely finish the season", a source told the Los Angeles Times.
Walton's status has been a topic of discussion among fans and media as the Lakers have slid to 28-29 in an injury-plagued season.
But the Times cited sources saying Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka agree that Walton should coach the rest of the season.
The newspaper said those sources have knowledge of the situation but are not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
"Nothing is going to happen with Luke," one source told the Los Angeles Times.
"There hasn't even been any talk about it and there won't be any talks about it. Luke will definitely finish the season and he has the full support. So any talk in the media or on social media can be put to bed about Luke. He's not going anywhere. There has been no conversation about it."
Walton is in his third season with the Lakers, finishing 26-56 in 2016-17 and 35-47 in 2017-18 with young rosters. The addition of superstar LeBron James in the off-season raised expectations, but injuries to James, point guard Rajon Rondo and point guard Lonzo Ball, among others, have helped put Los Angeles on the outside of the playoff picture with 25 games to go.
ESPN reported in late January that James' camp would prefer a coaching change.
Recent results - such as a 136-94 loss at Indiana on February 5, a 23-point loss at Philadelphia on Sunday and Tuesday's setback at Atlanta - have increased speculation about Walton's leadership.
One source told the Times that James didn't look "totally engaged" against Atlanta despite posting a triple-double of 28 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds. Another source claimed the Lakers had "bad body language" against the Hawks.
Walton has a five-year contract with a base salary of $5m per year, with four of the years guaranteed.
"Everyone believes in Luke," one person told the Los Angeles Times. "Now it's about him getting the best out of the team."
