Mitch Kupchak confirmed the Los Angeles Lakers canceled their other interviews after meeting with Luke Walton.
“With the openings in the NBA at that time,” Kupchak said, “and the openings that we thought might come about once we finished the interview, we decided quickly that he was our first choice, why wait? Just get it done.”
Walton will remain an assistant coach with the Warriors until their playoff run is over.
“We’re hoping for Luke that he continues to play until mid-June,” Kupchak said. “Certainly we’d also like to have him here as soon as possible.”
Kupchak said Walton will not wait until after the Warriors season to fill out his coaching staff.