Luke Walton hasn't only been an assistant coach for two seasons. But after filling in for an ailing Steve Kerr and guiding the defending champion Warriors to a 39-4 start to the season, it's become obvious that Walton will be a head coach in the NBA sooner rather than later.
And there could be several opportunities available to him this offseason.
But if you ask his father, Bill, the younger Walton will stay right where he is. During an interview with USA Today's For The Win, Bill was asked if he had any advice for Luke in regards to open head coaching jobs.
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"First of all, Luke doesn’t listen to me. He makes his own decisions. I always tell him the same thing: “Luke, it doesn’t ever get any better than what you have right now.” I was part of three of the greatest teams ever — UCLA, Portland, the Celtics. I’ve been at the other end of the spectrum too. There are opposite ends of every teeter-totter, so I tell him, “Money can’t buy what you have.” Head coaching jobs, they’re open for a reason. Those reasons don’t exist in Golden State. I’m very proud and very lucky dad," the elder Walton told USA Today.
[RELATED: Walton wants to be a head coach, willing to wait for right job]
To Luke's credit, he understands he should just jump at the first chance to be a head coach.
"I would love to be a head coach,” Walton told CSNBayArea.com on Feb. 17. “But I’m in a very, very good place right now. We have our goal of winning another championship; there are not very many opportunities where you have a realistic chance of winning a championship. I’d be foolish if I had my time and thoughts and efforts going other places right now.”
Golden State Warriors
[RELATED: Kerr: Walton will be head coach candidate for 'lots of jobs']
Kerr acknowledged on Feb. 8 that he knows Luke Walton will be a head coach in the NBA eventually.
“He’s a phenomenal human being and a great coach,” Kerr told reporters. “He showed what he’s about in my absence. The job that he did was remarkable and it opened up a lot of eyes around the league.
“He’s going to be a candidate for lots of jobs, whether it’s this year or next year or whenever. He’s going to be a head coach at some point.”