The Sacramento Kings are nearing a deal to hire Alvin Gentry as lead assistant, according to Marc Stein.
The Kings are closing in on the hiring of former Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry to join Luke Walton's staff in Sacramento as associate head coach, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 6, 2020
Gentry would fill the role vacated by Igor Kokoskov, who left to coach Fernerbahce.
Gentry was also being courted to be lead assistant by the Philadelphia 76ers. It would be an impressive get if the Kings lure Gentry over a franchise already in the playoffs. If you’re looking for positive signs, perhaps this demonstrates a level of credibility Monte McNair brigs to Sacramento.
This could also have interesting ramifications on the Buddy Hield front, as Hield and Gentry have a relationship dating back to Buddy’s rookie season. Buddy reportedly isn’t answering Luke Walton’s calls, but perhaps Gentry could mend the relationship
Gentry was recently fired by the New Orleans Pelicans, but had previously worked with Luke Walton when they were both assistants for the Golden State Warriors.
Update: Stein reports that the Kings and Gentry have an agreement in place. We’ll watch for an official announcement tonight or tomorrow.
The Kings and Alvin Gentry have an agreement to bring the ex-Pelicans coach to Sacramento, league sources add
Philadelphia sought Gentry for the same role on Doc Rivers' staff but the Kings are poised to soon announce Gentry's hiring after he worked with Walton in Golden State
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 7, 2020
Bye Luke.
Allstar Break
Team should be vying for a top pick, so not sure that helps
Kings “closing in” on hiring Alvin Gentry as lead assistant:
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I know this feels like they are hiring the next interim coach, but I am just glad that Luke is going to have someone who can run creative and fast paced offensive sets on his staff.
First, I think Gentry would be an excellent lead assist, but that is where I would want him to stay. I’m not in the camp that I would want Gentry as a possible replacement to Luke, if and when that time comes. I’m not impressed with Gentry’s head coaching resume or his seemingly inability to coach a solid defensive team. As lead assistant to any coaching staff, he would be a solid hire.
Second, I would like to know how the Kings can afford, what I would assume, the pricy salary of Gentry as lead assistant. I imagine he doesn’t come cheap. I only bring this up because of the recent layoffs of excellent basketball operations folks.
Third, I’d like to know if this was a Walton lead hire or a McNair lead hire.
Gentry technically had one year left on his contract with the Pelicans. Maybe they got a discount!
On your second point, are we sure about the financial difficulties or are they mostly rumors?
Yes, before McNair was brought on Vivek said Walton would be the coach, and it was speculated that was because he didn’t want to pay two coaches. But who wants to pay two coaches?
Yes, they let go of everyone in Stockton. But couldn’t that just be cleaning house in order to rebuild from the ground up?
Obviously NBA teams are not selling many tickets right now, so every team is dealing with some financial difficulty, but if the team can’t afford to pay for a front office and a coaching staff this season something more serious would have leaked by now, right? So is this narrative really confirmed or is it still speculation?
As was reported the Stockton staff and other Kings basketball personal were “laid off.” To me that doesn’t mean they were removed to clean house, instead it is a cost saving move.
Another ass-backwards move for this franchise.
Why hire an assistant coach to a lame-duck HC.
Will he also be an “advisor” who eventually takes over the HC position?
Please.
Alvin, Walton, Igor! (still workshopping this)
it’s opposite day so downvotes are actually upvotes FYI
Nvm.
.
It’s pronounced I-gor:
Fun fact: Gentry’s .462 WP would make him the 2nd most successful HC in Sac. history. Current #2? Luke Walton’s .431.
George Karl was 1175 – 824.
George Karl came in last for breakfast, though.
I still enjoy this photo every frickin time.
George Karl was a fine coach.
Not here.
Vlade’s and Vivek’s fault.
Sure. Same with Joerger. And Malone (sub PDA for Vlade) before that. That said, the numbers are the numbers, and they reek for themselves.
Talk about setting the bar low. Gentry has 3 playoff appearances in 16 years as a head coach.
Yep, and that would be three more than any Kings’ head coach has had over the past 14 years. To your point,
If Gentry is hired there goes 4 more years of Kings at the bottom of the heap. The Kings, as any small market team needs, is an alpha-dog coach running the show with the GM backing him to the hilt.
The best of the King’s coaches have been alpha dogs. You knew who was running the show. The very worst mistake ever Vlade made, despite the various stores, was when he backed DeMarcus over George Karl. Sacramento became and remains a joke.
Inmates running the asylum never works until you have matured. Vivek and past GM’s have empowered players to the detriment to the team culture.
Rick Adelman was far from an alpha dog. He was a brilliant offensive mind who promoted team cohesion and got the most out of his players.
The one with the most power is the Alpha Dog. No player had more power on the floor than Adelman. One need not be loud.. just powerful. Among today’s coaches, Spoelstra is a similar example; he is the Alpha Dog in Miami. Riley has insured that is so.
This is Alpha as hell IMO:
I am honestly neither bothered nor encouraged by this… yet.
One of those two feelings will emerge at some point down the road.
I would really dislike it if this was “lighting a fire” under Walton. That would be Kangz 101 and that nonsense needs to stop.
I would also prefer Gentry to Walton as a HC – simply because I dislike Walton THAT much… no other reason. (But this is NOT how I would want them to go about that move… so please… just no.)
I’m going to say that he will NOT be the HC next year… and that Monte has a better plan than that. This is my hope (unfounded… but still my hope.)
I guess it’s a win that he picked the Kings over Philly. Other than that, I haven’t been a huge fan of his teams as a head coach. His assistant coaching appears to be a mixed bag.
So I keep seeing that people are ok with him as an assistant, but not as a head coach. I guess I never totally understood that. To me, for the most part, you are either a good coach or you are not. What you believe and what you teach doesn’t really change with your title.
I get it that HC might just be beyond his skills… too much power and responsibility… some guys might not be made for HC even though they are great coaches otherwise… good with teaching skills and good Xs and Os… so is that what the line of thinking is on AG?
Just look to the NFL for examples. Rex Ryan was a great Defensive Coordinator & a horrendous head coach.
Using that example as an analogy, Gentry’s a great offensive coordinator & an awful HC.
From Zach Lowe the last time the Kings were interested in hiring Gentry:
One would hope the fact that Gentry took the job is an indication that this isn’t a similar ploy to replace Walton midseason. Also, you would think this is a positive sign that the Kings are recommitting to an uptempo style of play.
That’s interesting. This could be much more about Walton and Gentry having worked together in GS than it is about Gentry succeeding Walton.
Agree with this. This seems like a complement to Walton as opposed to a replacement. Also agree this promotes what McNair says that the team will play fast around Fox.
I’d also assume this leads to the Kings not necessarily cleaning house next season, but trading players that don’t promote a faster pace. I think the first ones to go are guys like Joseph, Bjelica, and probably Bogdanovic.
But who is going to coach defense?
Gonna have to check the tape and get back to you on that.
Initial reaction….. FFS, why?
I guess we’ll have to wait and see? My suspicion is he’s the head coach in waiting, a-la “special adviser”, but if it’s actually to have some gravitas on the coaching sidelines to back up Walton then I’m okay with it. But as other’s said, how are we hiring like this when the organization is on a fire sale with letting people go? Get some front office people to back up McNair and the scouting dept!
I’m getting confused and whiplash between joy and despair these past few weeks.
He just wouldnt come here unless he thought he had a shot at head coach…………………………………………………………
I would agree with that speculation.
I have been away from Kings news but, is it possible that they are offering to move him into the FO as an assistant GM? After spending direct time with the players, and coach next season. I assume Gentry is a smart guy he must know he isnt HC material. Maybe FO is better…. Any thoughts ….
I’m having a hard time putting Gentry is a smart guy together with wanting to work in the kings FO
Yeah Kings FO and smart guy haven’y gone together since Petrie! .Just thinking that McNair isn’t a basketball guy, Alvin is. I have to asume asst GM (or whatever) is better than assistant coach. Pay and travel wise.
Gentry is great as an assistant! He worked with Luke before so maybe this team will look better. Igor can’t cut it in the NBA seems. But if Gentry becomes the eventual head coach that’s no bueno. I hope this is a situation where McNair is giving Luke his guys and hoping he’ll succeed and if he doesn’t Luke and Gentry are gone and we have a whole new coaching staff next season.
Another ride on the carousel
I would really like to see how much we’re paying Gentry, are we trying to lock him in to a discount contract knowing that he’s our future head coach? I hear a lot of talk of Bogdan in a S&T and keeping Buddy now that Gentry is here.
I would really have liked the Kings to reach out to David Fizdale.
another retread? why?
Bagley for Tyler Herro
Miami is in the finals for being smart. Riley would laugh and hang up.
Hahahahahahaha!
Not happening.
Did not expect Gentry would take the Kings offer over Philly.. I actually don’t know how I would feel about this. Does this mean Walton is safe for the entire duration of his contract? I am fine with Gentry as an assistant but NOT as the HC so I wouldn’t want Luke getting fired and being replaced by Gentry unless if Gentry is fine being an assistant and Mcnair brings in his own HC down the line.
Secondly, with the Kings bringing in Gentry, it sounds like the Kings are once again trying to push for a playoff run next season which I think is a really huge mistake (2021 draft is stack with talent).
I can see it now… The Kings get off to another slow start, say 2-10. Luke is replaced by Gentry. Gentry will take over for the remainder of the season. The Kings will win 36-40 games. Gentry will get a 3 year extension. Gentry will run the team into the ground the next 2, before he gets fired. When will this shizzle ever end? New GM. Same Kangz.
I couldn’t have said it better myself
answer to your last sentence, never..
Would you think differently if the Kings hired someone else? For all intents and purposes any associate head coach should be capable of taking over the head coaching position on an interim basis. It’s basically like nominating someone to be the vice president. I don’t see why we should look at this as if it’s some sort of conspiracy. Luke wanted Gentry for the job. They’ve worked together in the past. Gentry didn’t take the same position previously because he didn’t want to screw over the incumbent head coach.
Anything can happen obviously. I just don’t think hiring Gentry specifically means much. One would think McNair is smart enough to not have his current coach be in charge of the hiring process for his eventual long-term replacement.
Yes, I would think differently. Gentry has spent a good part of his career as a HC. A very bad one at that. It’s not even a debate. Gentry took the Sac job over Philly because he knew that Luke’s days could be numbered. The second point is why? The talent on this team is not good enough to make the playoffs next year. That’s a fact. So, if you’re the Sac FO bringing in Gentry to help the Kings make the playoffs as an Asst or HC, That’s inane. Whether this was a Vivek or Mcnair decision is irrelevant. It continues to boggle the mind. Do they really see Fox/Bagley and a lifetime of Mid 1st round picks as the ticket to the playoffs? I am beginning to think my French Mastiff can run an organization better.
I’m still not sure why McNair would outsource hiring the next permanent head coach to the current head coach though. It just feels like people are making a lot of assumptions when the simplest answer is that they needed to hire a replacement for Igor, and Walton picked a guy who he’s worked with in the past. He may still get fired, but that’s not proof that Gentry will be anything more than an interim head coach for the remainder of next season.
Unless we’re signing Gentry to a one-year contract (which is unlikely), the options are:
A.) We’re stuck with Luke, with Gentry as lead assistant for the next couple years.
B.) Gentry will be made interim at some point, and either be hired full-time or revert back to assistant — which means our new head coach will not be given the option to choose his lead assistant. We’ve seen that play out before; can limit your options in who you hire as coach if you don’t give them autonomy to fill out their own staff.
C.) We fire Gentry with Luke (or after his interim is done)… And then we’re paying yet another coach not to work for us.
I’d say A. I think McNair is taking the challenge head on in making Luke work with this team, giving him a fair shot. He’s famous for being hands on with the coaching staff. He probably sees that Vlade didn’t do anything to get Luke prepared to win games and is confident he can do better in that regard.
I don’t think Walton is gone mid season or season’s end because they hired Gentry.
I think that may have been true with or without Gentry being added. Likely, McNair is giving Luke a clean slate.
Luke probably blamed his issues on roster construction, which has been pretty consistently valid in Vlade’s tenure. It did get slightly better after the trade deadline, swapping Ariza and Dedmon for Bazemore and Len. Also Bagley barely playing and the Holmes injury hid the “too many bigs” issue.
I’m having a strong bout of ambivalence again.
Embrace the healing powers of lowered expectations.
I think the writing is on the wall. Gentry did not take the Philly job…Because Doc will be in Philly for the duration. Gentry knows either verbally or his intuition is that he will be offered the HC position in Sac at some point. Whether it be interim or permanent. I am really at wits end at how he keeps on getting gigs. He flat out SUCKS as a HC. Just check out his sterling record of consistent losing with the Clips, Suns, Detroit, and most recently the Pels. He’s an average Asst that likes to run a fast offense.
Except free agents can’t drop us down their lists if we’re already at the very bottom. Checkmate
You mean we’re still on the list?
Just below the CBA
Meh
This is fine, whatever. From all accounts, great human being, mediocre (at best) head coach, good assistant?
Agreed.
In the short term, the Kings got themselves an above average assistant coach. There is very little negative to this hire, assumptions be damned. Should he assume the HC role in the upcoming season (which I’m skeptical of,) then we’ll have an opportunity for a decent pick in the draft, most likely. I’d like to think that would be followed up with a solid coaching search, but only McNair really knows…
Great photo Greg. I love that even the pink-haired kid is getting in on the finger pointing. New front office hire?
News: each team permitted private workouts with up to 10 prospects.
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