By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson, current Warriors assistant Mike Brown and Brooklyn Nets consultant Steve Clifford are among the finalists to take up the Sacramento Kings head coaching vacancy, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick.
The Kings have been on the search for a new playcaller, after informing interim head coach Alvin Gentry that they will not bring him back for the final year of his deal, and are beginning to notify the candidates who have made the final cut. Gentry took on head coaching duties early in the season, replacing Luke Walton after the Kings’ 6-11 start.
Jackson, 57, also an ESPN broadcaster, has served as the head coach of the Warriors between 2011 and 2014 in his first and only experience, before Steve Kerr’s arrival to the franchise.
Brown, 52, current head coach of the Nigerian national team and Warriors assistant, has also served in the playcaller position for the Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-2010, 2013-14) and had a two-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers between 2011 and 2013.
Clifford, 60, has been at the helm of the Charlotte Hornets between 2013 and 2018, before moving to the Orlando Magic (2018-2021). Before making his breakout as a head coach, he has been an assistant for New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Magic and the Lakers.
The Kings are looking for a rebuild after missing the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season and currently have 11 players under contract, including Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes and last year’s draft lottery pick Davion Mitchell.