Sacramento Kings Hire Luke Walton, Durant Apologizes for Ejection and More

Luke Walton is the new head coach of the Sacramento Kings only days after the Los Angeles Lakers parted ways with him, Kevin Durant apologizes for his ejection against the Los Angeles Clippers and more young guns declared for the NBA Draft.

Kings Announce Luke Walton as Head Coach | NBA.com

Only a few days after leaving Los Angeles following three losing seasons, Luke Walton became the Sacramento Kings new head coach. Vlade Divac decided to fire coach Dave Joerger on Thursday after a 39-43 season..

Watch live as Kings general manager Vlade Divac introduces new head coach Luke Walton 👑🎥 https://t.co/yzpe3tgfj4

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 15, 2019

Durant apologizes for ejection, calls it a ‘distraction’ | ESPN

Kevin Durant is still frustrated with questions about his altercation with Los Angeles Clippers’ Patrick Beverley after both players were ejected.

“In the moment it was cool,” Durant said after Monday’s shootaround in advance of Game 2. “But just the reaction after the game, I don’t want coach or my teammates or the organization to be upset with me because of some s— that I did. I don’t want to get in the way of what’s going out on the floor. I think that was a huge distraction and I don’t want that to be a part of this series. I just want to play. It looks like it’s a huge distraction.”

Kevin Durant and Patrick Beverley were both ejected late in the Warriors' win after receiving two pairs of double technicals for repeatedly jawing at each other: https://t.co/RTn8I09w3C

— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) April 14, 2019

AP Source: Cavs to interview assistants Mosley, Howard | Associated Press

The Cleveland Cavaliers will have an interview this week with the Dallas Mavericks’ assistant Jamahl Mosley and the Miami Heat’s Juwan Howard for the job, according to sources close to Associated Press. Cleveland is in the hunt for its fifth coach since 2013 and even though Mosley and Howard don’t have NBA head coaching experience, they are the most serious candidates at the moment.

Can confirm Cavs will interview Dallas assistant Jamahl Mosley (as expected), and Miami’s Juwan Howard, who will also interview with Lakers. Cavs have not set dates for Mosley, Howard

— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) April 14, 2019

Virginia guard Jerome opting for NBA draft | ESPN

Ty Jerome, a key contributor to the Virginia Cavaliers championship run, announced on his Instagram page that he will enter the NBA Draft and hire an agent. Jerome averaged 16.5 points per game in the NCAA Tournament and recorded 16 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in Virginia’s 85-77 overtime win against Texas Tech in the finals.

View this post on Instagram

The last three years at Virginia have been everything I could have dreamed of in a college experience. When Coach Bennett recruited me he said he would never stop challenging me to improve, on and off the court – and he meant it. He did that every single day, and he made me a better basketball player and better man. I am eternally grateful to him and the entire coaching staff, and fans. I also want to give a special thank you to our strength coach, coach Curtis and our athletic trainer, Ethan Saliba; the best in the business! I came to Virginia to win a national championship and to be able to do that with my brothers is a dream come true. And to the best fans in college basketball – we would not have done it without you. Last but certainly not least, I want to thank my mom, dad, brother and entire family. The time, effort and love they have given me is truly a gift, and I would not have had this opportunity without them. I have had a ball in my hand basically since the day I was born. My dream has always been to play in the NBA. Therefore, after speaking with my family and coaches and giving it a lot of thought, I know it’s the right time to announce that I will be entering the NBA draft and signing with an agent. I will forever be a wahoo🧡 UVA, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

A post shared by Ty Jerome (@tyjerome_) on Apr 15, 2019 at 7:58am PDT

Gonzaga’s top scorer Hachimura entering draft | ESPN

Rui Hachimura, the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ best player and top scorer has declared for the NBA draft and his intention is to hire an agent to represent him. Hachimura was excellent this year as he averaged 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds and is ranked No. 18 in the ESPN top 100 of NBA draft prospects.

Gonzaga junior Rui Hachimura has declared for the NBA Draft.

The All-American would be the first Japanese-born player to be drafted in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/L4Mlz1Z1HG

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 15, 2019