With Luke Walton recently signing a five-year deal to become the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the attention turned to his coaching staff. Although Walton is still serving as an assistant coach under Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers brass has been busy trying to fill out his coaching staff with input from their new head coach.
Walton’s top target to join his staff is former Laker player and assistant coach, Brian Shaw. It was reported last week that Shaw was nearing a deal to become the lead assistant under Walton in Los Angeles and now Shaw himself has confirmed the report, via Guy Haberman of 95.7 The Game:
Brian Shaw on the show "It's true (I am joining Lakers coaching staff) at this point just finalizing the last details of the contract."
— Guy Haberman (@GuyHaberman) May 25, 2016
Walton and the Warriors are currently battling the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals and are facing long odds to advance to the NBA Finals to defend their title. Despite being the clear favorite to advance to the Finals and win it all, Kevin Durant and company now possess a 3-1 lead over the Warriors following an impressive win in Game 4 on their home floor.
Once the season is over for the Warriors, Walton will head down to Los Angeles to assume his post as Byron Scott’s successor. Shaw will follow once his deal with the Lakers is finalized.
As for the rest of the staff, no other candidates have emerged to join Walton and Shaw. The team may be waiting until Walton’s season is officially over to continue the search.