Golden State Warriors

Bill Walton offers sage advice to son Luke: Don't ever leave the Warriors

Published Mar. 29, 2016 1:45 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

How big of an impact did Luke Walton have on the Golden State Warriors in his time as interim head coach? That's the multi-million-dollar question a handful of NBA teams will have to answer this offseason in their own coaching searches.

When the Warriors started the season 39-3 under Walton, he became one of the hottest coaching commodities in the league. While we don't really know what Walton's strengths are as a coach or what exactly he does for this Golden State team, we at least know that he's not going to mess up a good thing.

For one desperate team, that might be enough to roll the dice and hire Walton. But according to basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton, Luke's famous father, the Warriors assistant would be wise to say, "Thanks, but no thanks."

Via For The Win:

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO LUKE THESE DAYS NOW THAT HIS NAME IS BEING THROWN AROUND AS A FUTURE HEAD COACH?

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.

But say that the younger Walton ignores his father's advice and takes a coaching job with a brand new team -- which, by the way, is something his current players would enocurage him to do. After all, who could turn down such an opportunity?

Would he be walking into a trap? Is the current NBA landscape simply a series of pitfalls designed to destroy Walton's soul?

Let's cruise through the teams that have already parted ways with one head coach this season, as well as those who could be looking for a new leader this summer, and weigh Walton's options:

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Remember the good ol' days?

Los Angeles is the spot that makes sense for all of the non-basketball reasons -- if the Lakers part ways with Byron Scott this offseason, that is. Walton was a Laker. He won two titles as a lightly-used reserve in Los Angeles. He played for Phil Jackson, so he knows enough about the Triangle to placate those who might clamor for the Zen Master's return to southern California. And he's a young guy who could relate to the Lakers' young players.

As far as we know, that's Walton's strength on the bench. He's a players' coach through and through, and he knows how to run an effective practice that keeps his team energized and engaged. So the Lakers are a natural fit, right?

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. The expectations post-Kobe are going to be all out of whack in Los Angeles. This team wants to get back to the playoffs ASAP. That's a constant pressure that Walton doesn't need in his first real tenure as a head coach.

2. New York Knicks

Walton's name will likely be linked to the Knicks because of his ties to Jackson, but this job would just make Walton miserable. His current team has revolutionized NBA offense; the Knicks want the league to exist in a temporal anomaly where everything is 1998 forever and ever.

If Walton ends up coaching the Knicks, the only explanation will start with an "M" and rhyme with "Money, all of it ever in existence."

3. Houston Rockets

The Rockets, on the other hand, more closely align with what we assume to be Walton's offensive sensibilities. They'll take all of the 3s in the world, and they have the makings of a solid defense in place, James Harden not withstanding.

But there's too much up in the air in Houston for this job to cater to a first-time head coach. Dwight Howard might or might not be back, of course, and the Rockets are still looking for a coach who can push them into Finals contention. That's not Walton.

4. Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn's kind of a sneaky pick for Walton. There will be zero expectations moving forward, and Brook Lopez is a solid enough presence to give you some consistency as you struggle on the floor. Sean Marks' hiring as GM from the Spurs organization should provide much-needed structure, as well.

The complete and total lack of draft picks and the dearth of young talent, however, makes this job toxic for the next couple of years. Walton would be wise to look elsewhere or to come back to this job down the line.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

He might not be the perfect coach for the young, talented and amazing Wolves, but Minnesota is the perfect choice for Walton. Yes, there's some pressure to win sooner than later. For now, though, the real key is developing Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine et al. into a contender. Walton seems like the type of personality you'd want spurring those guys forward, and he'd have room to grow on the job, too.

Unfortunately, it's not clear that the Wolves will move on from interim coach Sam Mitchell after the season is over. Mitchell's a fine disciplinarian and a strong assistant, but he's not the right guy for Minnesota moving forward.

Walton would need a strong player development coach under him and someone who specializes in defensive Xs and Os to make sure Towns becomes the world-destroying force we expect him to be. But this could definitely work.

6. Phoenix Suns

The Suns are another strong candidate, if Phoenix fans can get past Walton's history with the Lakers. Eric Bledsoe is spectacular (when he's healthy), and the Suns are in solid draft position moving forward. Furthermore, expectations in Arizona are currently at rock-bottom. Putting a team on the floor that can breathe and dribble a basketball simultaneously would be heralded as a great success for the Suns.

7. Sacramento Kings

By all indications, George Karl and Sacramento's front office are locked in a titanic struggle to see who can drive the other side crazy first. If Karl's still the coach in Sacramento by the end of the season, we'll be absolutely shocked.

And because of all the drama and turmoil with the Kings, no coaching candidate in their right mind should take this job -- unless they just want to make a quick buck. Sign up for a stint with Sacramento and you know two things: 1.) They'll pay pretty well and 2.) They're going to pay you to go away before too long.