Luke Walton Days In Sacramento Numbered As Kings' Playoff Ambitions Remain Unclear

It has been almost 15 years since the Sacramento Kings made the playoffs.

Team owner Vivek Ranadive wants to make it past the regular season for once, but it appears heads may have to roll.

Right now, the man on the hot seat is no other than Kings head coach Luke Walton.

After starting the season with a 5-4 card, Sacramento has dropped its last four assignments to the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Thankfully, the Kings were able to check their four-game slide following a 129-107 romp over the Detroit Pistons on Monday, November 15.

However, the win just gave Walton a temporary sigh of relief. But the reality is that he needs to pull off a string of wins to prove he deserves to call the shots for the Kings.

Things are not looking too good for Walton, whose woes extend beyond winning games.

Key players on the team are said to be unhappy, and this may factor in with Ranadive’s decision.

Marvin Bagley III reportedly wants out of Sacramento. An example was last week when he refused to check in to the game against the Suns despite being told to do so by Walton, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Bagley was one of several players who did not get a contract extension, and NBA Insider Marc Stein reported Sacramento did not have any plans of handing him one.

To compound the misery of the Kings, De’Aaron Fox has not performed accordingly this season.

Fox has been struggling for the Kings, but the blame could be pinned on Walton and how he is handling the team.

It would not be the first time that Walton would be near the cutting line.

Having been the coach of the Kings since 2019, the 41-year-old has failed to turn things around.

Furthermore, his relationship with some players has been well-documented–which are factors that indicate the Kings may opt to look for a new head coach soon.