Walton will return to Lakers, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 
<br><br>
LOS ANGELES - Restricted free-agent forward Luke Walton will return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season.
 <br><br>
Walton's agent, Lon Babby, said Thursday that Walton "is committed to return, and they're committed to him."
 <br><br>
NBA teams aren't allowed to make contract announcements until a moratorium ends July 22.
 <br><br>
"It will be a two-year deal," Babby said from his Washington, D.C., office. "He's excited about remaining in L.A. That's his home base. He's had a great experience there. He's excited about playing for Phil Jackson again, he had a lot of success playing for Phil in his rookie year."
 <br><br>
Jackson was rehired last month to coach the Lakers after taking last season off.
 <br><br>
The 25-year-old Walton was the 32nd overall pick in the 2003 draft after playing at Arizona. He averaged 2.4 points as a rookie and contributed in the playoffs as the Lakers reached the NBA Finals. He averaged 3.2 points last season, but didn't play much until late in the year.