Could former Los Angeles Lakers player Luke Walton return to L.A. as head coach? Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Could Luke Walton be the next coach of the Lakers?

By Mark Fishman | Last updated 12/8/15

Off to an NBA record 22-0 start as interim coach of the Golden State Warriors, Luke Walton will likely be a hot commodity for a team looking for a new head coach next season.

And one team making its rounds in the rumor mill for Walton's services is the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers, whom Walton played from 2003 to 2011, will almost certainly be looking for a new head coach next season as the team is off to a 3-18 start, its worst in franchise history.

Walton has even earned the endorsement of soon-to-be retired Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

Kobe on Luke Walton: "He always had a really brilliant mind & understanding flow & tempo & spacing & how to manage a team the right way."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 23, 2015

Walton, who is serving as the Warriors' interim coach as head coach Steve Kerr recovers from back surgery, has earned himself no shortage of praise from Kobe.

Kobe laughing said he used to tease Luke Walton: "Told him he was the next Phil (Jackson) b/c he was an average player w/ a messed up back."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 23, 2015