Golden State Warriors top assistant coach Luke Walton and the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly reached an agreement on a multi-year deal for the former University of Arizona Wildcats product to become the team's next head coach after the 2015 NBA champions season concludes, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak announced on Friday.

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"We're excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he's going to start an outstanding coaching career," said the 61-year-old Kupchak. "He's one of the brightest young coaching minds in the game and we feel fortunate that he'll be leading the on-court future of our team."

Walton, 36, who was born in San Diego, California, will be the 26th head coach in the franchise history.

Walton, who is currently in his second season as an assistant coach with the Warriors, has played nine seasons for the Jerry Buss majority-owned club. He won two championship rings with the team under the reign of the 11-time NBA Champion coach Phil Jackson.

Walton's name became resonant after he took over as the Golden State's interim coach during the absence of head coach Steve Kerr and steered the Warriors to a 24-0 start this season - the best start of a season in the league's history. He registered an amazing record of 39 wins and four losses during his tenure as the Warriors' acting head coach.

Walton was named NBA Western Conference Coach of the Month for the games played in October and November last year and finished eighth in the recently concluded coach of the year balloting.

"I'm incredibly happy for Luke," 2015-16 NBA Coach of the Year Steve Kerr said in a press release. "As we witnessed earlier this season, he has all of the intangibles necessary to be an outstanding head coach in this league, including a terrific understanding of the game the ability to communicate with a wide range of people."

TagsLuke Walton, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Kerr, NBA 2016, 2016 nba playoffs