The Sacramento Kings have added Jay Triano to Mike Brown’s coaching staff, according to a report from Marc Stein. Stein also says that Doug Christie will remain on the Kings bench, which Stein had previously reported was a point of emphasis for the Kings in interviews.
Ex-Raptors, Suns and Canadian NT coach Jay Triano is expected to join Mike Brown's new coaching staff in Sacramento, league sources say, after his stint in Charlotte.
Brown has lined up Denver's Jordi Fernandez and Triano to join Kings holdover Doug Christie on his SAC bench.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 20, 2022
Triano has coached in the NBA since 2002, including three years as head coach of the Toronto Raptors and a 79-game stint as interim head coach for the Phoenix Suns. Triano was also head coach for the Canadian Men’s National Team from 1998-2004 and again from 2012-2019. Triano has been an assistant with the Charlotte Hornets for the past four seasons as the top assistant to James Borrego. In Charlotte Triano was considered the “offensive coordinator”.
A fun tidbit with some unexpected Kings tie-ins is that during his time in Phoenix, Triano discovered the rule that there’s no goaltending on an inbounds pass. He used it to design a game-winning play with an alley-oop to Tyson Chandler. The Suns used nearly an identical play in last year’s playoffs for the “Valley Oop” to Deandre Ayton. The Kings tie-in is that Triano figured out that exception as he was coaching former Kings player Sim Bhullar for the Canadian National team. Triano spoke about it last year on a podcast with ESPN’s Zach Lowe, saying:
“I actually got it from the Canadian National Team, because in the FIBA rules, once the ball hits the rim – and we had a kid by the name of Sim Bhullar – and Sim was 7-feet tall. We were playing against Mexico and I said, ‘if there’s ever a short clock, just put it up on the rim and Sim, you go up and offensive goaltend it because that’s allowed,’ and we did it one time, and the ball went in and it kind of hit his fingers on the way in. And we go ‘ah, I don’t know if that counts,’ and I started thinking ‘that probably does count’ and then, the next year, I asked, when the referees come around and they do the individual breakdowns of the new rules, I asked them ‘can you goaltend?’ And they said, ‘no, that would count as a basket. There’s no such thing as goaltending on an inbound pass.’ And I said ‘ok, well don’t tell anybody, because I’m gonna save that.”
Regarding the note that Doug Christie will remain on, it’s still a little concerning that the Kings organization appears to be dictating members of Brown’s staff. However, it isn’t a uniquely Kings thing to see happen. Jordi Fernandez, who was added to Brown’s staff this week, started his NBA coaching career in Cleveland under Brown, but remained on the Cavaliers staff even after the Cavs replaced Brown with Byron Scott.
Nonetheless, its exciting seeing the Kings filling Mike Brown’s bench with an experienced and qualified coaching staff. It’s also nice to see an assistant who is specifically known for his offensive acumen and creativity, since those have never been known as Brown’s strong points as a coach.
We continue to wait for more information on the remainder of Brown’s staff, as well as the fate of other holdovers from Walton’s staff such as Rico Hines and Lindsey Harding.
Triano seems like a real asset on the bench. I didn’t realize he was the inbounds pass-goaltend guy, but that’s the sort of mind I love to have in the mix. Find a loophole and exploit it.
Not too worried about DC sticking around, I’d think that if Brown had drawn a line in the sand over it, Doug would be gone, or made Vice President of Shutting Down Kobe.
As of now, Doug won that battle.
Besides, if Brown doesn’t feel that DC is helping things, an assistant coach can be marginalized with no great effort.
I’m not overly concerned about Doug sticking around. I like Doug and I don’t think he’s going to be problematic. But I also felt it important to address that part of Stein’s report because I know it is a concern for some.
I’m still waiting for them to announce andy_sims, Special Advisor. You’d be great!
Special Advisor is a pretty good title. I ordinarily prefer “Consultant,” because it’s so completely meaningless, but SA is kind of like gold-plated consultant.
I am also open to advising team employees in areas not limited to basketball, such as grammar, geopolitics, the history of French and American involvement in Vietnam, and why that outfit makes your ass look fat, and not in a good way.
I’m in my robe. And my ass is fat!
I specially advise you to try a silk kimono. You won’t be sorry.
See!! What a great advisor!!
Do they make silk kimonos that tie in the back? (So you can show off your fat ass).
Doug shows every outward sign of a world class, professional basketball personality, and a genuinely respectable person to boot. I couldn’t be happier for him, or the franchise. There’s no way to regret having people like DC involved.
The Kings will finally make the playoffs on the last game of the regular season with an inbounds no-goaltending basket, drawn up by Jay Triano.
Good to hear about Mike Brown’s choices for his assistants.
And count me in as not bothered too much by Doug staying on. Hope to see him progress in his coaching journey.
For what it’s worth (aka nothing), Triano likely has more connections, experience and insight into Shaedon Sharpe (and Leonard Miller) than pretty much anyone else.
That’s a really interesting point about Sharpe.
This brings up an interesting point. Are these assistant GMs starting right away? Will they be helping McNair out in doing the draft analysis? Is this perhaps part of the motivation of hiring them now while Brown is still consumed by the playoffs?
Gee, Mike Brown is putting together a staff that gives me optimism they can do good things if the talent on the roster works.
What a novel concept.
Except DC will Kangz everything up!
Huh? This seems silly.
Vivek does that on the regular.
Luke Loucks incoming?
“…and Brown is expected to bring on other playoff-experienced members from his Nigeria national team staff to aid Sacramento’s playoff push, sources said.”
– Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report
So is Chimezi going to be promoted to assistant coach?
Good for Doug. Was hoping Rico would stick around as well, he seems like a good coach. Glad they’re getting Brown get his guys.
Rico seems like a great guy for his open runs and general rah-rahing, but I haven’t really seen much (admittedly, I have looked much deeper than the surface) of him getting into the finer points.
Rico has a long and established reputation of being good at player development. I don’t think he makes sense as a guy on the front of the bench like he was after Walton got fired, but I would like to see Rico stick around in a player development role.
Oh, I know. But he seems like more of a generalist and motivator. Not a film-study-and-footwork minutiae guy.
He seems cool.
The players seem to really like him. Hield and Hamilton both sought him out when Indiana played the Kings in Sacramento.
Guys….off topic, sorry, but would you trade Davion and our 4th for Porter Jr and the 3rd?
I probably would for Smith Jr
Man, I love a healthy Porter Jr. but I don’t think I can take on that contract for a guy that hasn’t shown his back can stand up for an extended period of time. Honestly, he’s at the point where a team should probably get the #3 pick (and maybe more) just for taking on that contract. There’s a decent chance he never plays real minutes again.
Kevin Porter Jr. makes $3.2 mil next season, the last on his deal.
MPJ would fit the Kings offense seamlessly. Defensive liability, and yeah, probably not a pro quality player considering health concerns regarding his back.
Nope. He’s been extended. His extension is 5/172.5MM and kicks in next season.
Oh shit, disregard. I was talking about Michael Porter, Jr.
Which reminds me, if we aren’t going to win, should we just trade for all the Porter Jrs? Maybe a full team of Jrs and IIs?
And what’s with guys named Porter wanting to name their sons after them?
What’s with Porter Jrs and back problems?
All that weight of having to carry the Jr. family legacy around.
I found MPJ’s $172 mil extension. Nothing for KPJ.
This, of course, would change the original trade idea completely, if it meant taking on significant money.
KPJ doesn’t have one. I was confused. My mistake.
Oh thanks! I feel better. I was sure I missed something completely.
KPJ, guys!! Lol
Fox
Donte
Tobias Harris
Paolo/Chet
Sabs
Porter Jr.
TD
Holiday
A free agent like Taurean Prince or Danuel House
Metu
Harkless
Len
Jones
Queta
Seems VERY good to me, you feel me?
houston would not do that.
Will be interesting to see if DC keeps his prime seat next to the HC, or if he gets moved down the bench… and does that cause him to look for other jobs?
Jordi Fernandez is the lead assistant. I suspect Doug is further down the bench as is appropriate based on his level of coaching experience. I doubt it upsets Doug. He spoke regularly on broadcasts and radio about how his playing career taught him about getting benched and taking the opportunity to learn and prove himself.
Agreed, Dougie isn’t an ego-tripper, it’s just not who he is. Regardless of hierarchy, DC will work to get better in a coaching role.
Honestly, of all of the so-called glory years players, I have no doubt that Doug is the best equipped to become a valuable part of a coaching staff. His eye for tells given away by offensive players is uncanny. If he does nothing more than share that information with our players about upcoming opponents, he’ll have earned his spot.
Doug took a risk in leaving his broadcast gig to be taking that assistant coach job in the first place no doubt knowing that Alvin was only interim coach and would be out at the end of the season. I’d be willing to bet they gave some reassurances of stability in that job for at least a couple of years. That seems very fair to me.
Doug has explicitly stated that he needs a lot more coaching experience before moving up the coaching ladder so he knows his place in the grand scheme of things.
I like Doug Christie and have to believe that he makes no assertions as to his place on the coaching staff. His inclusion to the Mike Brown seems Matina more than Vivek but who knows? If he is serious about coaching as a career – he will fit in and learn and his skills will set his future (just like everyone else). If he ends up next to Mike Brown – then it gets fishing and we get to hang our heads and shake them constantly at the Kangz of it all.
I’d be shocked if Doug was the lead assistant. I’d be bothered by that as well. Would seem to a little to much meddling into the coaching staff dynamics if that happened which would suck. Not that it’s not a very Kangsy thing to happen.
if Doug doesn’t like it then go find another job. That’s 100% fine by me even though I love Doug and would like him to stay. Also, good for him if he wants to find another job and leave. No feeling will be hurt on my end as a die hard kings fan. I’d wish Doug luck and maybe he’d come back as a head coach in sacramento many years from now after gaining more experience some where else.
They are grooming DC to be next head coach. Once Brown is fired in 2 seasons. This is see coming.
The most KANGZ timeline.
seems like the Kings are set for the next two years at HC. 1.5yrs of Mike Brown plus 0.5yrs of Jay Triano – and then who knows? Maybe Anjali will take over?
But so far it appears as Monte made some solid moves. Maybe risk averse, but that’s understandable in his situation.
Monte probably won’t last past this season. I don’t see it. Unless, the kid they draft comes to Sac and lights it up year one. Or, 3-4 teams have major injuries like this past season. The Kings could sneak into a 7-8 seed.
Other than, Kangz, do you have any reason to think Monte won’t last? Or are you working on a new schtick?
It sounds like there’s a “playoffs or bust” mandate for next season.
Well at the end of Monte’s 2nd season the Kings did have a worse record than when he was hired . The record is the record at some point .
No. Playoffs or who’s got next…. Anjali for GM. It’s a results driven business. Vivek has a hair trigger. So, no playoffs, no extension. Makes sense to me. Vivek doesn’t have rebuild in his vocabulary. That philosophy has lead to a rousing success in his tenure as Owner.
Brown will win 35 games, A new GM will be appointed, Brown will have to coach one more year. Before going on 2 years PTO.
You know that’s coming. Tell me I am wrong.
You are not wrong. Forcing coaches to keep Christie as their replacement….forcing people to answer to a clearly unqualified “assistant GM”.
Has anyone noticed the desire to hang on to the past with this organization and fan base?
DC is a good coach…no need to replace him with a Mike Brown pick…..
Rico is good at player development. Be nice to keep him….
In the past sixteen years how has this disgusting acceptance of the same shit worked out?
DC is a good guy. Does he deserve to be designated as a coach by the owner? No.
Rico Hines can develop players. How many Kings players has he turned into average NBA players? This team has the weakest roster in the league. Rico develops other team’s players well in the off season.
When is change, including unpopular change, ok to change the path of this shit show?
The question isn’t whether DC is a good guy or good coach. It is solely of whether the owner is telling anyone on the basketball side who they need to have on their team, whether it is DC, Wes Wilcox, Anjali, the college level head of training and Gentry (to the extent he is involved in bball ops).
Results driven means you set a goal and give someone resources to achieve it and how they get it done is up to them. You don’t place your own people in the mix that undermines the responsible person’s authority and have their own separate direct line of communication to the owner.
If you want to stop being known as a meddler then STOP meddling. Fans should bring signs to G1C next year that say STOP MEDDLING and start chants saying it.
Badge Legend