Although the team has already hired its head coach, the Kings are still searching for a candidate to run the team's basketball operations. Sam Amick of USA Today confirms what we've heard in past reports, noting that new owner Vivek Ranadive is interested in putting together a sort of two-tier structure, perhaps pairing a big-name president with a lesser-name (but respected) general manager.
Larry Bird, Mike Dunleavy, Chris Mullin, Chris Wallace, David Morway, and Travis Schlenk are among the candidates that have been mentioned for one role or the other in the Kings' front office, and Amick reports that another interesting name has entered the mix: TNT analyst Kenny Smith. Smith confirmed to Amick that he has been in discussions with Ranadive about a position in Sacramento's front office, and expressed confidence that he could do a good job with the team.
"I've been winning my whole life," Smith said. "I've been blessed to be a winner. So whatever happens, whatever I do, I'm going to win an Emmy next year or I'm going to try to win an NBA championship or I'm going to try to win in cards. I'm a winner. I'm a winner. I've been blessed in my whole life, so I think I have a clear vision."
The Kings also appear likely to interview Nuggets assistant GM Pete D'Alessandro about their GM opening. Although D'Alessandro remains the odds-on favorite to take over Denver's basketball operations, the Nuggets have granted Sacramento permission to speak to him, according to Amick (via Twitter).
He’s always a winner, so that’s his clear vision? By that, does he mean he’ll have Hakeem coach the team, and Charles Barkley tell him what to do? Because those are the two guys that allowed him to be a “winner”. Nobody tunes into TNT’s NBA pregame to hear what Kenny has to say. In addition, Houston didn’t win back to back titles because Kenny Smith was on their roster.
I trust Kenny. Kenny doesn’t have barkley’s flare for comments, or hakeems great skills in the post, but he was a pg and a quality pg during his tenure. Dude could play, and his bball acumen is good. Petrie’s run is over, I dont know how he made it this long. Mitch richmond and kenny smith, former kings helping out would be a start.