3 coaches chosen as finalists for Sacramento Kings head coaching job

Mar 7, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings heart Domantas Sabonis (10) with guard De’Aaron Fox (5) earlier than the sport in opposition to the New York Knicks at Golden 1 Heart. Necessary Credit score: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports activities

Because the NBA offseason nears nearer, there are already a number of groups on the lookout for a brand new head coach. The Los Angeles Lakers fired Frank Vogel, the Charlotte Hornets fired James Borrego, and the Sacramento Kings let Alvin Gentry stroll.

Effectively, the latter of these three groups has already narrowed issues down to a couple candidates. After an preliminary listing was reported not too way back, the Kings have finalized their pool of candidates to a few choices.

A myriad of studies have come out, however as Shams Charania of The Athletic and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tag group the story, Sacramento’s three finalists had been introduced.

3 coaches chosen as finalists for Sacramento Kings head teaching job

According to reports (subscription required), these finalists are Brooklyn Nets marketing consultant Steve Clifford, ESPN analyst and former coach Mark Jackson, and Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown.

Primarily based on the ultimate pool of candidates, it’s clear that prior expertise was seemingly on the Kings’ listing of prime priorities. All three of the finalists have been head coaches within the NBA earlier than.

Clifford was the top coach of the Hornets for 5 years and the Orlando Magic for 3 years from 2013 to 2021. Throughout that stretch he made the playoffs 4 instances, by no means advancing previous the primary spherical.

That being stated, he’s well-known for his defensive prowess and choices to play expertise over youth. Each of these issues scream profitable tradition and will assist out the Kings a ton.

Jackson was the top coach of the Golden State Warriors for 3 seasons from 2011 to 2014. He made the playoffs twice, reaching the second spherical in a kind of years.

The now-ESPN analyst is understood for teaching Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of their early years earlier than Steve Kerr took over. He has not coached within the NBA since.

Lastly, Brown has been the top coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers for eight years from 2005 to 2013. He reached the playoffs six instances, at all times getting previous the primary spherical, and reaching the NBA Finals as soon as.

Lately, Brown has been a prime assistant in Golden State and likewise took over as the top coach for the Nigerian nationwide group. He led Workforce Nigeria to a few spectacular wins, together with one over Workforce USA in a scrimmage.

No matter who they select, the Kings are clearly on the lookout for a coach with expertise to come back in and lead their group to the postseason. All three of those candidates are strong selections, however who will they select?