The Detroit Pistons have announced the addition of Luke Walton to their coaching staff as an assistant coach, a move confirmed by Shams Charania of The Athletic via Twitter. Walton, who most recently served as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff for the past two seasons, brings a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach to the Pistons organization.
Luke Walton’s NBA journey began as a player, spending nine seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2003 to 2012. Following his tenure with the Lakers, Walton joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2012-13 season before retiring from playing professional basketball. Transitioning into coaching, Walton started as an assistant coach for the University of Memphis and later with the South Bay Lakers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 2014, Walton embarked on his NBA coaching career as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, a role he held for two successful seasons. His tenure coincided with a golden period for the Warriors, contributing to the team’s NBA Championship win in the 2014-15 season and coaching them to an unprecedented 73-9 record in the 2015-16 season when head coach Steve Kerr took a leave of absence. Walton’s interim leadership saw the Warriors start the season with a record-setting 16 consecutive wins.
Following his successful stint with the Warriors, Luke Walton was appointed as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016. Over three seasons with the Lakers, Walton faced the challenges of rebuilding a storied franchise, culminating in a record of 98 wins and 148 losses. Despite efforts to develop young talent and navigate through organizational changes, Walton’s tenure in Los Angeles came to an end after the 2018-19 season.
Shortly after parting ways with the Lakers, Walton was named the head coach of the Sacramento Kings in April 2019. During his time with the Kings, Walton amassed a record of 68 wins and 93 losses before his departure in November 2021. Throughout his coaching career, Walton has demonstrated a commitment to player development and strategic innovation, aiming to translate his experiences as a player into effective coaching strategies on the sidelines.
With his appointment to the Pistons coaching staff, Walton brings a diverse coaching background and a deep understanding of the game. His experience as both an assistant and head coach in the NBA, coupled with his time spent with successful franchises like the Warriors and Lakers, underscores his ability to contribute to the Pistons’ coaching strategies and player development initiatives.
In joining J.B. Bickerstaff’s coaching staff in Detroit, Luke Walton looks forward to contributing his expertise and insights to help elevate the Pistons’ performance on the court. His appointment represents a strategic move by the Pistons organization to bolster their coaching ranks with seasoned leadership and a proven track record in player development and team dynamics.
As Luke Walton embarks on this new chapter with the Detroit Pistons, the team anticipates leveraging his wealth of experience and strategic acumen to guide their young roster and foster a culture of growth and competitiveness. His addition underscores the Pistons’ commitment to building a strong coaching foundation aimed at achieving sustainable success in the NBA.
