ESPN Analyst Mark Jackson has been named a finalist for the Sacramento Kings head coaching job.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick reported Saturday, citing sources.
Mark Jackson has emerged as a finalist for the Sacramento Kings head coaching job, sources tell me and @sam_amick. Kings GM Monte McNair has begun to notify candidates whether they will move onto in-person meetings.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 30, 2022
Additionally, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, citing sources, that current Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown is a finalist for the Kings’ vacancy, along with former Charlotte and Orlando head coach Steve Clifford.
Golden State assistant Mike Brown and Brooklyn consultant Steve Clifford are among finalists for Sacramento Kings’ head coaching job, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 30, 2022
Former longtime NBA head coach Mike D’Antoni and current Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson reportedly also were candidates, though it’s unknown if they are finalists.
The Kings need of a new head coach after parting ways with Alvin Gentry, who took over in the interim after Luke Walton was fired during the 2021-22 NBA season.
This past season, the Kings went 6-11 under Walton and 24-41 after Gentry took over, finishing with a 30-52 record, good for 12th place in the Western Conference.
The franchise’s playoff drought reached 16 consecutive seasons.
It’s unclear if there are other finalists for the job or when Kings general manager Monte McNair will make a decision on whom to hire, but the NBA Draft Combine begins May 16 in Chicago, and the 2022 NBA Draft lottery takes place May 17, so it would be preferable to have a coach in place by then.
Mark Jackson previously coached the Golden State Warriors, credited for setting up the base for a dynasty in the Bay Area.