The Kings are interviewing the three finalists — Mark Jackson, Steve Clifford and Mike Brown — for their vacant head coaching position this week, and it looks as if one might have the upper hand. League sources tell Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report that Jackson appears to be the frontrunner for the job and the favored choice of owner Vivek Ranadive.
Ranadive, who was the vice chairman of the Warriors when Jackson was their head coach from 2011-14, has long been an admirer of Jackson and pushed Sacramento’s front office to consider him for the lead assistant/associate head coach position that ultimately went to Alvin Gentry in 2020, sources tell Fischer.
It has been previously reported that the Kings are searching for a defensive-minded coach with previous head coaching experience, and all three finalists check those boxes. However, Ranadive is said to be looking for a vocal, public face for the franchise to create a day-to-day identity, according to Fischer, who notes that Jackson is popular among players.
A report last month indicated that LeBron James would be “enthused” to see Jackson as a candidate for the Lakers‘ vacancy, and sources tell Fischer that LaMelo Ball also favors Jackson for the Hornets‘ opening.
One major wrinkle to the notion that Jackson appears to be the favored choice of Ranadive is that the owner has repeatedly told colleagues around the league that general manager Monte McNair has full authority over the team’s basketball operations. Fischer points out that the decision to fire Luke Walton early in the season came from McNair, not Ranadive.
McNair appears to be leaning toward Brown as his top candidate for the position, multiple sources tell Fischer. Brown also has Warriors ties – he has been an assistant coach for Golden State for the past six years – and used to work with Kings assistant GM Wes Wilcox when the two were with Cleveland.
Fischer writes that if Jackson isn’t selected for the position, it could be partly because Joe Dumars left the organization to work in the league office — Dumars wanted to hire Jackson to become Detroit’s head coach in 2011. Dumors reportedly wanted more control over Sacramento’s front office, with McNair reporting to him instead of Ranadive, but the owner wasn’t interested in that arrangement.
As for former interim head coach Gentry, sources tell Bleacher Report that he’s been offered a role in Sacramento’s front office, but Gentry is looking into pursuing a job as a consultant, similar to the role Clifford recently held with the Nets.
Lol
Quote: “A report last month indicated that LeBron James would be “enthused” to see Jackson as a candidate for the Lakers‘ vacancy…”
Once more GM LeBaby demonstrates that a U.S. high school degree isn’t worth the certificate it is printed on.
Aweee poor baby, mad that Lebron has more money than you with only a high school degree! Please keep crying dude you’re making the rest of us look good.
Also, answer me this… if you were the best player on every single team you played for… wouldn’t you want a say in what coach your team is hiring? Or maybe have a say in what teammates you want? Or is my college degree not worth the paper its written on?
I’m mad the Lebron has more money than me. I’m also mad that he’s taller and stronger than me. But what I’m really mad about is Caruso is all those things as well lol
Lebron saying he wants Jackson is chess not checkers. Knew if he said it someone would hire him before he got to LA. Well done King
It already sounds f*cked up for the next coach! Kings need to keep a lid on all of the gossiping and keep it in house.
Did he quit his pastor job? NBA HC requires 100% of your attention and effort.
Let’s hope he doesn’t make them all pray.
I’m all for people believing/doing what they like, but if you’re an authority figure demanding participation from professional athletes in ceremonies related to your belief, you can get a hard pass from me…
Not to mention taking a player to your church…
And being arrogant and paranoid enough that you banish your assistant coaches and they mutiny and blow the whistle on you… Yeah, hard pass.
Jackson was very insecure back then, and didnt understand working as a team in a corporate environment. Hopefully, he has learned from it.
Sounds like a kings move
The most overrated coach with zero accomplishments and people still talk as if he is a genius… Marc Jackson gets credit he doesn’t deserve. Larry Riley drafted Steph and Klay. Travis Schlenk drafted Draymond.