The Kings have formally requested an interview with Luke Walton, who parted ways with the Lakers on Friday, and also intend to request permission to interview Spurs assistant Ettore Messina for their vacant head coaching job, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets. (Hat tip to USA Today’s Sam Amick).
Walton is reportedly GM Vlade Divac’s leading candidate for the job. Messina was a finalist for the Raptors’ job last season, which wound up going to Nick Nurse. He also met twice with the Bucks’ brass last season before Milwaukee chose Mike Budenholzer.
The Kings fired Dave Joerger on Thursday, even though they improved enough to win 39 games. Sixers assistant Monty Williams is also expected to get a long look from Divac.
The fact that Divac is already lining up interviews suggests he’d like to make the coaching hire quickly.
Walton would do good if they get rid of WCS.
Luke Walton’s no good. Though he may not be as bad as Lue.
When is Vlade going to coach?
Hopefully they will look to more than 2 guys but as it is I think they should give the job to Messina, the guy has decades of coaching experience & always has done well, unlike Luke. Also for a young inexperienced team tends to work better a more experienced HC, so he can guide them through different situations, Sacramento is in a crucial time, can’t messed this appointment up by selecting a young guy who hasn’t done so good so far.
Luke for head coach and Messina as his top assistant making associate head coach money… great pairing for potential success.