Alvin Gentry wanted to avoid the “interim” tag after taking over head coaching duties when the Kings fired Luke Walton on Sunday, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Sources tell Amick that Gentry was unsuccessful because the front office believed it had another viable candidate in first-year assistant coach Doug Christie. Even though general manager Monte McNair, assistant GM Wes Wilcox and chief strategy officer Joe Dumars all supported Gentry, having Christie as an option gave the organization leverage in its negotiations with Gentry.
Gentry received a raise as part of his new duties, Amick adds, and he has a contract that runs through the end of next season. However, his future as the head coach in Sacramento will depend on how successful he is at turning the team around. Amick notes this is the fourth time in his career that Gentry has received this type of promotion, and he was able to earn long-term coaching stints with both the Pistons and Suns.
As the lead assistant, Gentry already had a huge influence on Sacramento’s offensive strategy, so other than possibly increasing its pace, the team won’t look much different with him in charge.
“This is not about making mass changes or changing philosophies or anything like this,” Gentry said. “I think we’ve got a good system in place. So I think what we have to do is we have to have our players perform better. I’ve got to be better. All the other coaches have to be better, and our players have to be better. I think it’s a group thing.”
There’s more from Sacramento:
- The Kings’ next major decision should be determining whether they can build a contender around De’Aaron Fox, Amick adds. Fox has gotten off to a terrible start in the first season of his five-year, $163MM extension, shooting just 42.1% from the field and 24.% from three-point range. Three-guard lineups with Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell haven’t been effective, observes Amick, who wonders if a roster upheaval may happen before the February 10 trade deadline.
- Gentry is the sixth coach in eight years for owner Vivek Ranadive, writes Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee. Ranadive has a history of being impatient, Biderman adds, and his desire for change caused the organization to part with Michael Malone, who has become a perennial playoff coach in Denver.
- Tristan Thompson, who was acquired over the summer to provide veteran leadership, said after Monday’s loss to the short-handed 76ers that it will take an organization-wide effort to recover from the poor start (video link). “I think everyone has to look in the mirror,” said Thompson, who also publicly expressed frustration with the team’s situation last week. “It’s not only just players. Yes, it’s a player’s league … but in terms of building a team, it takes a collective group. It takes everyone from the top to the bottom. From ownership to the trainers, to the equipment managers, to the players, to (the physical therapist), to the GM to the assistant GM. It’s all of us.”
The more turmoil for trade partners the better for the Sixers. Fire coaches, GMs, etc… new people in charge means new conversations for Ben Simmons. Part of me does hope he ends up in NBA purgatory like Sacramento or Minnesota, like fine go and let your dreams of winning die.
SAC is another roster of misfit toys. 3 guard lineups are fine, but not 3 smaller guards who (collectively) shoot and defend below their weight.
In another era, when teams made basketball trades, I think a Fox for Simmons trade might make sense. But Fox is the one guy who they’ve planted their flag with over the past few years, so if he’s moved, it needs to be after they’ve fully explored the market for him. SAC’s FO doesn’t look up to it.
Where to Start, Where to Start :
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No Dominate PF
No Back up SF
Big Men – Not rebounding or blocking shots : The first 6 games, Barnes was a monster (22pt Avg / 8rbd – Now 14pt avg /4rbd per game); Rarely does anyone blk a shot.
SG – We have Hield, who is starting off good; but Davis has been a huge disappointment since signing his contract.
PG – Fox has gotten off to a horrendous start; his 3pt shot is all but gone, and his Asst are down 4 per game. Haliburton is coming around but Mitchell can Not score, doesn’t shove off asst.
Bench – except for Thompson & Hield, What Bench ?? Len, half the time doesn’t score or rbd; Davis, is non-existent, Harkless is a huge bust, etc.
And No one is AGAIN playing Defense.
The 3 guard rotation is a bust. Let’s get back to a Traditional rotation.
The Core Building Blocks (My Opinion) :
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PG- Fox
PG/SG – Haliburton
C – Holmes
SF – Barnes
Everyone else is Trade Fodder
I’m good with trading everyone from the owner to the janitor. This organization is desperate for leadership (from the owner). Six coaches in eight years? Vivek should shoulder much of the blame and should say so.
Doug Christie a viable option? HAHAHAHAHAHA, he’s even a terrible commentator.
TT has been talking some sense this last week… might very well be the first time in his career… SAC better listen to him!
Yea but he is a nothing on the court at this point. And why would these guys even listen to him in the locker room? He’s been there a minute. They should be the most active team at the deadline and try to change the culture/identity of the club.
I like Mike Brown as the next Kings head coach. He has persevered and earned another opportunity. Another option is Mark Jackson who has learned his lesson with the condition that he gives up his pastoral job.
Grant Napier for kings next head coach!!!!