The Kings, who are completing a second round of interviews with the three finalists for their head coaching job, are expected to make a decision by the end of the week, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.
According to Amick, Mark Jackson and Steve Clifford have completed their final interviews, while Mike Brown had an informal visit with Kings officials on Wednesday and will have his formal sit-down with the team on Thursday.
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report stated earlier this week that Jackson appears to be team owner Vivek Ranadive‘s preferred choice for the position, and Amick has heard the same thing from sources close to the situation. However, the Kings insist Ranadive isn’t putting his thumb on the scale and that general manager Monte McNair will be given the opportunity to make the final decision, says Amick.
There have been recent reports indicating that McNair has been given more authority and power in the Kings’ organization than previous heads of basketball operations under Ranadive. Amick suggests that the team’s decision to let Joe Dumars walk rather than promoting him to a level above McNair is a signal that Ranadive is showing support for his GM.
One of three teams currently seeking a new head coach, the Kings appear on track to finalize a hire before the Hornets or Lakers complete their respective searches.
If you ran the Kings what would you do with these assets?
Fox 4 yrs 33.5M avg
Holmes 3 yrs 12M avg
Sabonis 2 yr 20M avg
Mitchell 3 yr rookie deal
Barnes 18.3 M exp
Holiday 6M exp
Harkless 4.5M exp
Davis 4M exp
Len 3.9M exp
Lyles 2.6M exp
Metu 1.9M non-guaranteed
Hold on Divincenzo, Lamb, Jackson
37M in expiring contracts not including Lyles and Metu.
Holmes doesn’t fit with Sabonis. You have no real wing player. 2 short guards. And mocks have you landing Sharpe, Agbaji or Mathurin.
Would you do a Gordon Hayward and PJ Wash for all those expiring deals?
Would you do Westbrick and take picks from the Lakers?
A three team deal with the Hornets for picks and Brick?
What about the Knicks and taking Randle and Fournier?
Is there a move currently out there that they could pull off and become a contender for the 7-10 spot?
Fire Sale!
And no, there is not a move imho.
They’d need to land #1 overall and get the “right” player.
Mark Jackson deserves another shot. He coached a young team from a losing record to a winning record. Clifford can’t be the answer at this point, and Brown couldn’t win without Bron or Kobe.