Golden State Warriors

Draymond Green: Luke Walton will leave Dubs to coach elsewhere 'if any GMs are smart'

Published Jan. 22, 2016 10:49 p.m. ET

Jovan Buha

Luke Walton's success as interim coach of the Golden State Warriors in the absence of Steve Kerr -- who is now back after missing the first 43 games of the season after offseason back surgery -- is bittersweet for the franchise.

On the one hand, Walton has blossomed from the No. 3 assistant coach to the lead assistant to an interim coach (and now back to lead assistant). He's thrived in every position he's been put in, showing a rare combination of work ethic, hunger to improve and adaptability in his coaching philosophies -- qualities that must young coaches lack.

On the other hand, Walton's vast success means that he'll have plenty of suitors this offseason, when teams like the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets can fill their coaching vacancies, as well as a slew of other teams (the Los Angeles Lakers, Walton's former team when he played in the NBA, have been the most popular rumored team).

The Warriors want Walton to stay, of course, but just like with Alvin Gentry last season, they understand they need to let their assistant coaches spread their wings and accept head coaching jobs when given the opportunity.

That doesn't mean it will be easy. As Warriors big man Draymond Green, who has spent more practice time with Walton than any other Warrior, admitted on Friday, it's frustrating for the team, according to CSN Bay Area:

“It gave Luke an opportunity,” Green said. “It gave other coaches an opportunity to step up. It gave us more of a sense of responsibility, of togetherness, knowing that this is Luke’s first go at it. And, man, he was amazing.

“It’s kind of frustrating, too, because now … Luke is my guy and now he’s going to be gone next year – if any GMs are smart.”

Steve Kerr echoed a similar sentiment, saying that he'd welcome Walton as his assistant for as long as Walton wants the position -- and hopefully even longer:

“He’s been awesome. He’s been amazing, the job he’s done,” Kerr said. “He’s a head coach waiting to happen, anytime. Hopefully, he’ll take his time and stick around here for a little while.”

Most important, of course, is that Walton earned the stamp of approval from the NBA's golden boy, Stephen Curry, who might be the most important voice within the Warriors right now:

“He did a great job,” Steph Curry said of Walton on Friday. “It’s no easy task to take over the reins when you’re approaching the season with a certain mindset that coach Kerr is going to be here and it doesn’t work out that way.”

Anyone who claims that anyone could've coached the Warriors to a 39-4 is illogical and simply misguided -- there are at least a dozen coaches in the NBA right now that would've found a way to screw up the Warriors' schemes or rotations or lineups. Just look at the 2012-13 Lakers: There's never a "sure" thing in the NBA.

Walton managed the balancing act perfectly. He kept most of Kerr's principles and implemented them as best as he could, while also tweaking certain things and adding his own flavor. That's for any coach to properly do, let alone one as young and inexperienced as Walton. The fact that he did it so brilliantly speaks volumes of his potential as a head coach elsewhere.

That doesn't mean he's going to lead the Lakers or whoever else he's coaching next season to a historic record -- it just means he's proven he's capable of maximizing the talent he has in front of him.

As for his time with the Warriors, it appears Walton's days are numbered.

There should be 8-12 coaching vacancies this offseason (there are a lot of borderline coaches who will probably be fired), and Walton will have his pick of the litter. He'd be foolish not to explore the market, and will most likely be on the opposite end of Kerr on the sidelines next season.

Jovan Buha covers the NBA for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter at @jovanbuha.