Two-time NBA champion and former Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton has been named as the NBA’s youngest head coach following Steve Kerr’s indefinite leave of absence, as the latter recovers from a back surgery. The 35-year-old Walton, who was an assistant coach of the Warriors last season, will replace Kerr on an interim basis.

"Our biggest concern is for his health," Walton said, reports ESPN . "We know he's going to get better, but on a friend level, it's always hard to see someone you hold in high regard and care about, not able to really do what they love to do."

The Warriors’ shocking announcement makes Walton the NBA’s youngest head coach, although he would probably not keep the position very long. According to Warriors general manager Bob Myers, the team expects Kerr to coach the defending champs when the NBA season opens on Oct. 27, but admitted that there is no specific time frame on the second-year coach’s return.

“We don’t anticipate the recovery process will be long term, but as of today we don’t know the exact timeframe,” Myers told the NBA’s official website . “We’ll evaluate his progress daily and provide updates as necessary.”

Warriors assistant coach Ron Adams also believes Kerr would coach the team when Golden State opens their season against the New Orleans Pelicans and celebrate with their ring ceremony and banner raising. Adams told SiriusXM NBA Radio that Kerr would be coaching the Warrior’s season opener.

The defending NBA champion has announced on Friday that Kerr will need time off for rehabilitation and recovery. Kerr said in a statement that he wants to get healthy and get back to his normal daily routine.

Kerr ruptured a disk in his back during Game 5 of the NBA Finals in June. Kerr, who has won three NBA rings with Michael Jordan as a member of the Chicago Bulls, underwent two surgeries to repair the injury, one on July 28 and another on Sept. 4.

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