Luke Walton and the Los Angeles Lakers had a tumultuous relationship this year, especially with the addition of LeBron James to the roster. Walton was able to improve the Lakers record every single season he was with the team, although it was clear this season that things just weren't working out. At the end of the season, it was revealed by Magic Johnson that he even had permission to fire Walton but he ended up quitting the team before he could pull the trigger.
Today, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Lakers and Jeanie Buss actually sat down with Walton after the season and offered to keep him around. By the time of the meeting, it seems as though the two sides already had irreconcilable differences.
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"Sources say Walton was given the chance to stay on as head coach in a subsequent meeting that included owner Jeanie Buss," Amick wrote. "But Walton, who was already aware that Buss had given Johnson the full authority to fire him and who had long harbored concerns about general manager Rob Pelinka’s style, was ready to head for the exits himself."
This information is coming in light of the recent reports that Walton is being accused of sexual assault in a new civil lawsuit. The Former Laker has since been hired by the Sacramento Kings.
