Mike Brown led the Sacramento Kings to one of many biggest turnarounds in latest NBA historical past solely a 12 months in the past. After lacking the playoffs 17 years in a row, Brown took on the Kings and their head-coaching job. He instantly led Sacramento to 48 wins and a titanic postseason conflict with the defending champion Golden State Warriors that resulted in a Sport 7 defeat. Nonetheless, the season marked vital progress for a Kings crew that had in any other case recognized solely failure in latest seasons.
That progress seemingly stalled this season. The Kings dropped by solely two wins this season, from 48 to 46, however the loaded Western Convention knocked them from a No. 3 seed all the best way right down to No. 9. They finally misplaced within the Play-In Event to the New Orleans Pelicans, and now, Brown is combating simply to obtain a well-deserved contract extension.
In response to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, there’s a “gulf” between the 2 sides in present contract talks, in order that they have tabled negotiations in the meanwhile. Brown has one assured season remaining on his present deal.
Teaching salaries have exploded over the previous 12 months. It began when Monty Williams signed a six-year, $78.5 million deal to take over the Detroit Pistons, and extensions for championship coaches like Steve Kerr and Erik Spoelstra have mirrored the brand new nature of {the marketplace}. The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Anthony Slater reported that Brown is searching for a determine within the $10-12 million per 12 months vary, and which may clarify a attainable disconnect. It possible begins with the crew working beneath that outdated paradigm whereas Brown would expect one thing nearer to what the present market dictates.
Kings beat author James Ham reported that the crew’s “failure to repeat the success of the earlier 12 months hasn’t sat effectively with possession,” nevertheless it’s value noting, once more, that the Kings declined by solely two wins and did so regardless of accidents to key gamers Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk. The Kings employed 11 totally different head coaches in the course of the lottery streak, so it is laborious to think about them doing higher than the 2023 Coach of the 12 months in the event that they determined to look elsewhere.
Coaches not often go into contract years with out new offers. It dangers their standing within the locker room as gamers can understand them as a lame duck. Brown has been important to Sacramento’s run of success over the previous two seasons. Retaining him in place might be essential transferring ahead. If which means breaking the financial institution, then so be it.
