NBA Rumors: Luke Walton Rejects Phil Jackson And New York Knicks

NBA rumors are swirling around Luke Walton. Right now, the Golden State Warriors are locked in a playoffs series with the Houston Rockets. The former dominated the latter in the first game. However, attention shifted from that victory toward the lead assistant coach for the Warriors. Apparently, New York Knicks president Phil Jackson had a conversation with Walton this week about their possibly vacant head coaching position. According to CBS Sports, the former Los Angeles Lakers forward is not interested.

The Golden State Warriors made NBA history this season. They did the unthinkable by winning more games in a regular season than the Chicago Bulls did some 20 years ago. Very few people thought that anyone would be able to replicate what Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman were able to do during their magical season. Many now consider the Warriors to be the best team in the history of the National Basketball Association because they were able to win 73 games.

In sports, success causes outsiders to value those within winning organizations more than normal. Larry Brown and Alvin Harper were able to secure huge contracts from the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers respectively because they helped the Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl. Since the Golden State Warriors are so dominant, NBA teams are interested in the key pieces that have led them to that level. Luke Walton showed just how important he was to the Warriors when he led the Warriors while Steve Kerr was recovering from back surgery.

Since they are in the biggest market in the country, the New York Knicks need to make big splashes to keep their fan base interested. Phil Jackson was able to renew some of that interest when Kristaps Porzingis turned out to be one of the best new players in the NBA. The same splash will be needed when he chooses the next head coach for the Knicks.

Kurt Rambis simply does not fit the bill. He’s not necessarily a bad coach in the NBA. He’s just not someone that will excite the New York Knicks fan base. They want a much bigger name than Rambis. The fans want someone like Luke Walton or Tom Thibodeau. The latter was a beloved assistant coach for the Knicks. Many would love to see him back with the franchise.

The New York Knicks aren’t a bad destination if you want to be a head coach in the NBA. While the team hasn’t been winning as much over the past decade, they’re still a team in the spotlight. Even if you fail with them, you can always find another home in the National Basketball Association. If you somehow take the team to the playoffs, then you become a bit of a messiah.

Unfortunately for the New York Knicks, Luke Walton does not seem to consider them an attractive destination. He might have something better. Walton could possibly be waiting to take over the Golden State Warriors from Steve Kerr. The former Chicago Bulls guard is reportedly concerned about his health. He has already an NBA Championship as a head coach on his resume. If Kerr wins another one, then he might be satiated enough to walk away from the National Basketball Association, which will leave the door open for Walton.

For all we know, Phil Jackson could just be throwing a smoke screen. He’s been known to do that before. Jackson might be showing interest in Luke Walton just to satiate fans who want more than Kurt Rambis. If that’s the case, then it makes sense why Walton would show little interest in coaching the New York Knicks.