Luke Walton named new head coach of Lakers

Well, that didn’t take long.

Less than 48 hours after the Warriors clinched their first-round playoff series, they lost their top assistant coach. The Lakers announced the hiring of Luke Walton on Friday night, as the 26th head coach in franchise history.

Walton, 36, will begin his new job after the Warriors’ season ends. Yes, that could be a while.

“I’m incredibly happy for Luke,” head coach Steve Kerr said in a statement. “As we witnessed earlier this season, he has all the intangibles necessary to be an outstanding head coach in this league, including a terrific understanding of the game and the ability to communicate with a wide range of people.

“He’s certainly ready for this opportunity, and I’m confident he’ll do a great job with the Lakers once our season is complete.”

Walton becomes the second Golden State assistant to bolt in the past 11 months. Then-top assistant Alvin Gentry left the Warriors in June to become head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.

“Luke has done an incredible job during his two-year stint with our team and has played a significant role in our success, including last year’s championship and again this season under some very unique circumstances,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said.

Friday night’s news was no surprise, given Walton’s deep ties to the Lakers. He spent eight-plus seasons playing in Los Angeles and helped the Lakers win two NBA titles.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, right, poses for a photo with the league's coach of the year trophy alongside assistant coach Luke Walton before Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, April 27, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) less Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, right, poses for a photo with the league's coach of the year trophy alongside assistant coach Luke Walton before Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff ... more Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Luke Walton named new head coach of Lakers 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

Los Angeles general manager Mitch Kupchak had asked to speak to Walton after firing Byron Scott on Sunday. The Warriors gave Kupchak permission to talk to Walton between series; that window opened when Golden State closed out Houston on Wednesday night.

“We’re excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he’s going to start an outstanding coaching career,” Kupchak said in a story posted on the team’s website. “He’s one of the brightest young coaching minds in the game.”

Walton served as the Warriors’ interim head coach for the first 43 games this season, while Kerr recovered from two offseason back surgeries. The Warriors went 39-4 with Walton, vaulting him to prominence.

Ron Kroichick is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.