Former Kings coach Luke Walton took the high road after the news he had been fired on Sunday, as relayed by James Ham of ESPN 1320 radio.
“I want to thank the Kings organization for the opportunity and I want to thank the players and the coaching staff for their support and hard work,” Walton said, via Ham. “I genuinely care for each of them and wish them nothing but success.”
Walton, 41, was fired after just more than two seasons on the job. His former lead assistant, Alvin Gentry, will serve as interim coach.
Sacramento hasn’t made playoffs since my oldest son was in diapers. He’s now looking at colleges. https://t.co/9OoJxrAoeX
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) November 22, 2021
The Kings (6-11) have lost seven of eight.
“It wasn’t any one thing,” Kings GM Monte McNair said. “It was a combination of things, but sitting here with where we’ve been the last two weeks, we felt we weren’t getting the consistency and certainly the results we wanted. We all need to be better. This is not on any one person, but we did feel this was the change that was best to get us back to where we need to go.”
Walton compiled a 68-93 record in his time with the Kings. Before coming to Sacramento, the former NBA forward coached the Lakers for three seasons, finishing 98-148.
Gentry, 67, coached the Pelicans from 2015-20, compiling a 175-225 record. He has also been head coach of the Suns, Clippers, Pistons and Heat, and owns a 510-595 record in 16 seasons overall.
The Kings last made the playoffs in 2006.
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