Igor Kokoskov has agreed to become the next head coach of Fenerbahce in Istanbul, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Kokoskov joined the Kings as Luke Walton’s lead assistant prior to this season after previously being the head coach of the Phoenix Suns.
Sacramento Kings assistant Igor Kokoskov has agreed in principle to become the next head coach of Fenerbahce in Istanbul, sources tell ESPN. Kokoskov had been the Suns head coach and is currently the Serbian national coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2020
Kokoskov was Luke Walton’s top assistant with Kings. As Slovenia’s head coach, he was part of a EuroBasket title in 2017 with Luka Doncic leading the way. Kokoskov replaces the legendary Zelijko Obradovic with Fenerbache. https://t.co/0GlwCLvNoy
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2020
Fenerbahce is one of the top international teams in the world, and is regularly one of the top teams in EuroLeague. Being head coach for Fenerbahce is a far more prestigious post than assistant for the Sacramento Kings, so it makes sense why Kokoskov would take this opportunity.
Kokoskov is also the current head coach of the Serbian national team, which features Kings players Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nemanja Bjelica.
We never really know the full impact that an assistant coach may or may not have on a team, but Kokoskov is one of the top basketball coaches in the world and the strength of the Kings coaching staff is diminished by this news. Many thought he would be a logical head coach replacement if the Kings were to fire Luke Walton, but it seems unlikely the Kings will be firing Walton anytime soon.
Update: The Athletic’s Jason Jones reports that Kokoskov will finish the season with the Kings before leaving for Fenerbahce.
Kokoskov will still finish out the season with the Kings and be in Orlando, per source https://t.co/Q6LFbaCi0z
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) July 2, 2020
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Happy for coach Kokoskov. I wonder if this will take place after this current NBA season is finished or if he will join Fenerbahce before then. Both Bogi and Nemanja also played for Fenerbahce.
Yeah, seems like a very logical move for Kokoskov. I don’t think this is any slight to the Kings. Now the question is, who becomes the replacement…if there even is one.
Marvin Bagley, Jr.
I know this is a joke, but I’m curious to see what Fox think about this.
LaVar Ball anyone? We can use him to stay relevant and he fits our hiring of unqualified personnel narrative.
Luke should have been the Igor insurance policy, not the other way around!
Happy for the coach. This is pretty bad for us. Based on a small sample size of this season, it looks as though most of our “good” offensive plays were authored by him. Still not sold on Luke.
Exactly.
Oof.
Looks like we will coach through the end of the bubble.
https://twitter.com/mr_jasonjones/status/1278747010099638272
Silver linings (lack of) playbook!
Good for Igor. It’s a move up, and if you’re going to move up you want a team that’s a powerhouse in the EuroLeague tourney. Fenerbahce is one of those.
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