In a stunning turn of events, the Sacramento Kings have fired head coach Mike Brown just 31 games into his third season at the helm, according to sources. The move comes as the Kings find themselves floundering with a 13-18 record, currently on the outside looking in at the Western Conference playoff picture.
Brown’s dismissal marks a swift fall from grace after he led the Kings to the playoffs last season for the first time in 16 years, ending the longest postseason drought in NBA history. Sacramento earned the 1st seed before ultimately falling to the defending champion Golden State Warriors in a hard-fought 7-game first round series.
Kings Struggle to Recapture Last Season’s Magic
Despite bringing back largely the same roster, the Kings have failed to replicate their success from 2022-23 under Brown. The team currently sits 12th in the West, three games back of even earning a play-in spot. Most concerning has been Sacramento’s inability to close out games – their five losses when leading after three quarters are second-most in the NBA.
Obviously, this is a tough decision, but we felt it was necessary given the team’s performance in comparison to our goals for the season. We thank Mike for his contributions to the organization.
– Kings general manager Monte McNair
In his two-plus seasons in Sacramento, Brown compiled a 110-90 record (.550) while transforming the Kings into an offensive juggernaut around the star backcourt of De’Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter. However, defensive struggles and a lack of frontcourt depth had haunted the team in the early stages of 2023-24.
What’s Next for the Kings?
Brown’s departure caps a disappointing start in Sacramento after he signed a 4-year contract extension just this past offseason following the Kings’ playoff run. Now, the organization must regroup and find a new voice to steer this promising but underperforming roster back on track.
- Interim Coach: The Kings will likely promote an assistant to interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Top candidates could include longtime NBA head coach Alvin Gentry or former Kings guard Bobby Jackson.
- Potential Candidates: Expect the Kings to target coaches with prior head coaching experience as they look to quickly turn things around. Potential names to watch include former Rockets and Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni, ex-Blazers coach Terry Stotts, and Kenny Atkinson, most recently of the Warriors.
The Kings still believe they have a roster capable of competing for a playoff spot this season, but it will be up to the next coach to unlock that potential. With the trade deadline still two months away, roster adjustments could also be on the horizon if Sacramento can’t reverse course quickly under new leadership.
A Season at a Crossroads
Mike Brown’s tenure in Sacramento started with such promise but ends abruptly after just 31 games of his third season. The 2022-23 Coach of the Year helped snap the franchise’s historic playoff drought, but his failure to build upon that success ultimately cost him his job.
Now the Kings find themselves at an organizational crossroads – still talented enough for a playoff push, but with their championship aspirations as murky as ever. The next head coach will be tasked with picking up the pieces and quickly steering this rudderless team back on course in a daunting Western Conference.
I have nothing but gratitude for my time in Sacramento and belief in the potential of this team. I wish the Kings and these great fans the success they deserve.
– Mike Brown on his dismissal
For the Kings, the mission is clear – find the right leader to unlock the abundant talent on this roster and recapture last season’s spark. With the clock ticking and frustrations mounting, Sacramento’s once-promising campaign hangs in the balance. The Mike Brown era is over, but the Kings’ quest to establish themselves as perennial playoff contenders carries on.
