Kings officially name Walton as new head coach

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento Kings have hired Luke Walton as their coach just days after the Los Angeles Lakers parted ways with him following three losing seasons.

The Kings announced Monday that Walton will replace Dave Joerger. Sacramento general manager Vlade Divac fired Joerger last week following a 39-43 finish that was the best record for the franchise in 13 years.

The 39-year-old Walton was dismissed by the Lakers on Friday after Los Angeles went 37-45. He went 98-148 in three years with Los Angeles in his first full-time head coaching job. The former Golden State top assistant never led the Lakers to the playoffs, not even after the arrival of LeBron James last summer.