Report: Kings close to hiring Walton as coach

Luke Walton and the Kings are finalizing a multi-year contract to make him Sacramento's next coach, The Athletic reported. Walton met with Kings general manager Vlade Divac on Saturday, and other prospective candidates have been told the job is Walton's unless a deal doesn't get done, The Athletic's Sam Amick reported.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Walton, 39, parted ways on Friday. Walton compiled a 98-148 record in three seasons as the Lakers' head coach. Los Angeles missed the playoffs in all three campaigns.

Since Rick Adelman left Sacramento in 2006 after eight seasons, the Kings have had nine head coaches. The most recent was Dave Joerger, who was fired on Thursday.

Joerger led the Kings to a 39-43 record this season, good for ninth place in the NBA's Western Conference. It was their best record since 2005-06 -- the last time they qualified for the playoffs. --Field Level Media