Walton's fate with Lakers still unclear, By Ross Siler, Los Angeles Daily News, April 16, 2005
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LOS ANGELES - As his second season with the Lakers draws to a close, Luke Walton can be forgiven for feeling as if he has seen as much as most 10- year NBA veterans. Such is life coming into the league on a team with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. 
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"It's been nonstop drama since I've been here," Walton said. 
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How much longer those days will last for Walton is a question without an answer. A second- round draft pick in 2003, Walton will be a restricted free agent at season's end, for a Lakers team with four small forwards already under contract for next season. 
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Walton, who started in Bryant's place Friday against Sacramento, was asked if he ever considered that these might be his final games with the Lakers. The team still has the right to match whatever offer Walton receives this summer. 
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"It could be, (but) hopefully it won't be," Walton said. "I want to stay. The Lakers, they're not going to have years like this too often. For any of us besides Kobe, I'd say this could be their last year being a Laker. 
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"I want to play my career here, but if it doesn't work out, then I'll have to move someplace else." 
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His minutes have increased since Frank Hamblen took over for Tomjanovich at midseason and the triangle offense returned. Yet Walton still is playing out of position at shooting guard, a concession Hamblen will make just to get him on the court.