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Luke Walton’s daysas head coach of the Lakers might be numbered.
While speaking with Brian Windhorst on his podcast, ESPN’s Jackie McMullan revealed that LeBron James inner circle wants Walton fired sooner than later.
There’s a lot of tension in that building,” McMullan said, “A lot of tension in that building, and I think people are wondering about Luke Walton even though Jeanie Buss came out very strongly and said ‘I want Luke to be here, I back him 100 percent,’ but then also made the point that has to be made, and that’s that she hired Earvin Magic Johnson to make these decisions, and if Earvin feels differently she gave him the power to make those kinds of decisions. It’s clear to me, and probably to you Brian, that LeBron’s camp would prefer a coaching change. They’re not too subtle about that. I don’t think that’s fair, I don’t.”
Earlier this season Walton was cussed out by team President Magic Johnson during a heated meeting between the two.
Sources close to Magic said he was stern with Luke Walton during the meeting more about not having a system in place than the wins and losses. Magic wants to see Luke have the Lakers run an offense that he has yet to see. Sources said that maybe the meeting opened Luke’s eyes.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) November 2, 2018
Via LA Times
Johnson, president of basketball operations, shouted and cursed at Walton, according to multiple sources who weren’t authorized to speak publicly. He asked Walton what he was doing with the team, wanting to see an offensive system in place that had yet to be implemented. At one point he chided Walton for interrupting him.
Despite the tension surrounding Walton it seems like Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has his back.
Via NY Times
It is also an open secret in Lakerland that Walton has the strongest possible backing from the owner Jeanie Buss. Even if the front office tandem of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka held Walton responsible for the Lakers’ swoon and wanted to make an in-season change, Buss almost certainly would prevent such rashness.
It seems like LeBron and co. have already made their decision about Walton and it’s not looking good for the Lakers coach.