Where will Kings turn for their next head coach? Four names to watch.

[ad_1]

Midway through his third season, Mike Brown has been fired as head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Inside the organization — at least at the highest level — this was seen as necessary to turn around a 13-18 team that has lost five straight and should be better. The fact that rumors are flying around the league that De’Aaron Fox may ask for a trade out of town certainly added to concerns. Outside the organization, the Kings firing the only coach who has led the team to the playoffs in the last 18 seasons — primarily due to a flawed roster — is exactly on brand for the franchise.

Where do the Kings turn for their next coach? It might be next summer before anyone is named permanently, but here are four names to watch.

Two quick notes on this list. First, after firing Brown — and Michael Malone a few years back, and George Karl — it may be challenging to get a veteran coach to come into what is viewed as an unstable situation around the league. The Kings may have to overpay if they want a coach with other options. Second, the reality of the NBA is that the best coach is the one De’Aaron Fox wants — as long as he is willing to re-sign with the team. Talent still wins in the league.

Doug Christie

Doug Christie is a 15-year NBA veteran player who spent five seasons in Sacramento and has been an assistant coach there for years, has been promoted to be the interim head coach.

He might be the best guy to keep the job, and he’s got more than 60% of a season to prove he can get the players to buy in and do it. He takes over a team that has been unlucky this season, and if that luck turns — if the Kings can start winning close games rather than giving up game-winning four-point plays — Christie can look like the right guy to get the job full-time. Christie should be able to connect with Fox, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and the rest. He is getting his chance in the big chair to prove he is the right man for the job.

Micah Nori

The Timberwolves’ lead assistant to Chris Finch — the guy who has taken over the big seat when Finch has been away from the team — is at the front of the line of top assistants…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/where-kings-turn-next-head-021636320.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2024-12-28 02:16:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.