No playoffs, no problem for Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton.
Though the team has missed out on postseason play in both of his seasons in charge, Walton will return for a third campaign as Sacramento's head coach in 2021-22, a source told NBC Sports Bay Area's James Ham.
Walton has posted a 62-81 (.434) record in two seasons with the team, the highest winning percentage for a Kings head coach since Rick Adelman (.633) held the position from 1998-2006.
But the franchise is also tied for the longest playoff drought in NBA history at 15 seasons, and Walton's tenure has been the subject of speculation since general manager Monte McNair took over for Vlade Divac in September.
A pair of nine-game losing streaks this season hasn't helped Walton's case, nor has missing the Western Conference play-in round by two games. But Walton doesn't seem worried about his position.
"I'm very confident," Walton said before Friday's 107-106 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to Ham. "I love this group. I love coaching these guys. I'm excited about trying to get Sacramento back into the playoffs."
The Kings owe Walton $11.5 million over the next two seasons. The 41-year-old coached the Los Angeles Lakers from 2016-19 before joining Sacramento.
