The Cleveland Cavaliers Need To Make A Run At Luke Walton To Be Their Next Head Coach
Larry Drew has to go. He’s not the coach the Cleveland Cavaliers should build around. If the team wants someone with an edge
to coach the roster, they need to seriously consider Luke Walton.
Walton will be the hottest free agent coach in the NBA. Dan Gilbert and Koby Altman need to make a run at him. It’s the best move this franchise can make after this putrid season. There needs to be a new leader of this team.
Walton is a former Cavalier. He played for the team during some of the worst years in the franchise’s history. If any available free agent coach understands the struggles of the Cavs, it’s Walton. It’s a match made in heaven.
The Cavaliers want to emerge from the bottom of the NBA. After success with LeBron, it’s disheartening to see them struggle so much. Walton needs to redefine himself as a top NBA Coach. The LeBron experiment hasn’t done him any favors.
Let’s be honest, it’s not Walton’s fault the Lakers are in such disarray. If Magic Johnson hadn’t made his trade requests, it’s possible the Lakers roster would actually give a damn. Walton is playing with unmotivated athletes, that’s not on him. Phil Jackson couldn’t have coached the Lakers this season.
On the Cavaliers end, Drew is far from a good coach. He’s terrible with rotations. Colin Sexton still has a shoot first mentality. Larry Nance Jr. isn’t being used to his full ability. As much as Cleveland fans will say he’s done a good job, that’s not true.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are playing hard because they don’t want to be the worst team in the NBA. Larry Drew has no effect on that. Sure he’s the coach, but that’s not saying much. A coach like Walton, who’s young and understands the way the NBA is played in this day and age, that’s someone who can coach in today’s game.
Walton coached a team to a 39-4 record (Golden State, 2015-16). That’s not dumb luck, despite how good the Warriors were. While Drew has had some good seasons with Atlanta, his lone year in Milwaukee saw him go 15-67. Add in this Cleveland season, and that’s further proof he’s lost his touch.
Cavaliers General Manager, Koby Altman, knows Walton’s strength. He was starting off his career in Cleveland when Walton was playing with the Cavs. There’s definitely a relationship between the two. In addition, Cavs forward, Larry Nance Jr., was coached by Walton during his time with the Lakers.
Luke Walton to Cleveland is very possible. There’s no reason the Cleveland Cavaliers keep Larry Drew. There’s little reason to think the Lakers retain Luke Walton. It’s the perfect fit for a coach and team who are trying to regain their reputations as winners. If the Cavs don’t go after Walton, they are damn fools.
Image Source: Getty
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
