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Report: Walton's job in danger if Kings continue losing

Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton is walking on thin ice.

The 41-year-old's job will likely be at risk if the Kings are unable to snap their ongoing skid, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania and Sam Amick.

After a resounding 30-point win over the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 5, Sacramento dropped four consecutive contests versus the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Friday's loss to the Thunder was especially notable thanks to a decisive turnover in the final seconds against an openly rebuilding Oklahoma City team.

Walton has gone 67-90 in three seasons as the Kings' bench boss and has yet to make a playoff appearance.

The increasing pressure on Walton is reportedly due to franchise general manager Monte McNair and other team executives considering this year's roster finally well-suited enough to return to Sacramento to the postseason. The Kings own the NBA's longest active playoff drought by far, spanning 15 campaigns since 2006.

The Charlotte Hornets, who played in the first round as recently as 2016, own the league's second-longest drought.

Sacramento next faces the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Toronto Raptors - none of which currently boast a winning record and are a combined 14-24 so far this season.

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