In the aftermath of Magic Johnson's sudden resignation from his post as president of basketball operations, the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach Luke Walton have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced.

Walton had just finished his third regular season as a coach after coming from the Golden State Warriors as an assistant in 2015. The young coach took over as Steve Kerr's interim in Oakland due to illness, leading the Warriors to a 39-4 mark during the 2015-2016 season before Kerr's eventual return. That feat caught the Lakers' attention. The franchise agreed to terms with Walton during that very postseason.

Since then, Walton was tasked with coaching a young core in Los Angeles and elevating its play, which he did with Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and others new to the Lakers.

However, that all changed once the front office acquired LeBron James this past summer, forcing a stark redirection from his official mission and putting him on a win-now mission that proved too tough after a slew of injuries to a poorly constructed roster around James.

According to earlier reports, Walton was not consulted during the front office's 2018 acquisitions. The Lakers were quick to pass on restricted free agent Julius Randle, despite having a mutual rapport with the much-improved forward.

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Walton had to adapt to a shooter-devoid roster that had James as the best shotmaker. This reality emerged after the signings of Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley, and JaVale McGee — capable players, but lacking shooting prowess altogether.

The 39-year-old Walton has been rumored to be of interest to Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and, interestingly enough, the Cleveland Cavaliers.