Joeger wasnt fired FOR Walton. Joeger found a way to get himself fired all by himself. The king record was not on the list of reasons he was fired.
Who were you expecting? Kings to entice a top coach to quit and come to Sactown? Who is this coach with his list of prestigious accomplishments you are wanting? George Karl?
THEN vlade hired Walton
I am not sure on this. If as it has been reported Walton was Vlade's 1st choice 3 years ago but he had no interest in the Kings job, then its not far fetched to think that Vlade got rid off his 2nd choice so he can get his 1st.
I don't believe for a second that Joerger was sacked without Vlade knowing full well that Walton is available. Vlade and Walton were team mates. Walton has been a dead man walking from the moment LeBron signed with the Lakers and it got even more apparent after the All-Star game when Vlade himself said he started thinking about a possible change.
The conspiracy theory of me joining the dots together goes a bit like this:
- Vlade's 1st choice has always been Walton who had no interest in the job in 2016
- Next in line for Vlade was Marc Jackson who was favourite to get the job until Joerger quit on Memphis. Vlade pounced and got Joerger as his 2nd choice
- Williams and Joerger did not get along from the start but it escalated when allegedly Williams leaked to the media. Vlade HATED this
- Joerger then kicked Williams out of the practice (again Vlade would not have liked this).
- Vlade was not a fan of it but thought Joerger was doing a great job and you don't always get everything perfect.
- Communications to Walton are made through "back channels" to gauge his interest in taking the Kings job given that he is a dead man walking in LA.
- Walton flags his interest
- Vlade sacks Joerger
- Walton mutually agrees to part ways with Lakers
- Vlade signs Walton to 4 year deal.
Bottom line, I am not convinced that Joerger gets the sack if Walton is unavailable. Maybe I am wrong but its just the feeling I get.