Lakers' Russell: Luke Walton 'one of the best people I know'

D'Angelo Russell is liking his new head coach more and more by the day.

The Los Angeles Lakers hired former Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton over the summer after relieving Byron Scott - who struggled dealing with the younger players - of his duties. In the short period since the change, Walton has begun to establish close-knit relationships with players, including his sophomore point guard.

"He’s one of the best people I know, as far as off the court," Russell said of Walton at the unveiling of the Lakers' new practice facility Wednesday, according to Lakers Nation's Serena Winters. "We communicate on and off the court as much as possible. I feel like I can call him anytime. He’s not like a head coach that will sit back and just watch his other coaches and colleagues just train other players, he’s always involved.

"He’ll get out there and play with you if he wants. It’s just great to have a young coach like him in the building."

The dynamic between Scott and Russell was poisonous for a majority of the 2015-16 campaign, with Scott benching the 20-year-old during key stretches in favor of veterans because he was focused more on winning and less on development.

Scott also took issue with Russell's overzealous nature, as the Ohio State product would sometimes get carried away on offense and try to do too much on his own.

With Walton, though, Russell can work under a man only 16 years his senior, not 35 like Scott. It will be easier for the two to relate on a personal and professional level, creating a more harmonious locker room and on-court product as a result.

Things can always change with a new season on the horizon, but for now, Walton is the most popular guy in Russell's basketball world.