Jason Anderson: On having input in the coaching search, Domantas Sabonis says: “I would like to be part of it and talk to everyone, give them my input, what I think, what I’ve seen, what could work, what could help.”
More on Kings Coaching Job
James Ham: De'Aaron Fox said he would like to be kept in the loop on the coaching search, but doesn't necessarily want to have input. He's looking for someone who can be here in Sacramento for a long time.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: Kings search is expected to wide-ranging, including candidates with history of turning lottery teams into playoff teams. Among those expected to be considered: Kenny Atkinson, Steve Clifford, Mark Jackson, Mike Brown, Bucks assistants Charles Lee and Darvin Ham, more.
Shams Charania: Alvin Gentry has been informed that he is no longer the interim head coach of the Sacramento Kings and the team will commence a comprehensive coaching search immediately, sources tell me and @Sam Amick.
Interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry knows his days in Sacramento could be numbered, but that is a conversation for another day. Gentry, who was appointed head coach when Luke Walton was fired in November, said he has yet to meet with general manager Monte McNair to discuss his future with the team and the possibility of returning next season.
“There would be no reason whatsoever to discuss it right now,” Gentry said. “The season is going to be over in the next two weeks and then from there, we’ll sit down and talk and figure out the direction that everything should be taken.”
Sam Amick: Kings have tabbed Alvin Gentry as the next coach, source tells @TheAthletic
Adrian Wojnarowski: Another possible interim coaching candidate: First-year assistant coach Doug Christie. Kings are still discussing the options.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Kings associate head coach Alvin Gentry – a five-time head coach in the NBA – is expected get strong consideration to serve as interim head coach. Walton was 68-93 in two-plus seasons as Kings coach.
Jason Anderson: Kings coach Luke Walton says he has no interest in the Arizona job. "I have a job," Walton said. "I have a job I love and I have a group I love working with, so I’m very committed to being here in Sacramento."
But sources with knowledge of the Kings’ plans say Walton is not in any imminent trouble and — barring a complete nose-dive in the second half — is likely to last at least through this season. There is a strong sense in coaching circles that Kings associate head coach Alvin Gentry would likely take over if Walton were eventually dismissed, but that time does not appear to be coming anytime soon. Sources say Walton, who was hired by former general manager Vlade Divac in mid-April of 2019, is owed a combined $11.5 million in the next two seasons of his four-year guaranteed deal.
Jason Anderson: League sources tell me a four-year deal between coach Luke Walton and the @Sacramento Kings has been finalized after a face-to-face meeting today in Sacramento, but at this point it's unclear when a formal announcement will be made.
Buddy Hield: 👀
Luke knew the Kings job was out there. If his Lakers exit wasn’t mutual, it certainly should have been. People had quietly been telling him for weeks that if the Lakers put him on ice, Sactown would be a potential landing spot. Dave Joerger did a nice job there, winning 39 games and keeping Sacramento in the playoff hunt for most of the season, but he was out of step with the front office. Players had reportedly soured on his leadership. Joeger was fired Thursday.
Brad Turner: Just landed in SF and was told that Vlade Divac has contacted Luke Walton about Sacramento Kings job and is trying to set up meeting with the former Lakers coach, per source
Brad Turner: Was told Vlade Divac was glad to hear Luke Walton and Lakers had mutually agreed to part ways today, per source
Jason Anderson: I can confirm that @Sacramento Kings GM Vlade Divac has already reached out to Luke Walton in the first hour after he was fired by the @Los Angeles Lakers. Unclear if a meeting has been scheduled at this point.
Marc Stein: The Kings have formally requested an interview with Luke Walton, as @Sam Amick just tweeted, and also intend to request permission from the Spurs to interview San Antonio assistant coach Ettore Messina, according to league sources
Sam Amick: Monty Williams is held in high regard by the Kings as well and is a candidate, but source confirms that he'll now have a very real crack at the Lakers job as well. Monty coached Kings assistant GM Peja Stojakovic in New Orleans.
Brad Turner: Lakers announce they and Luke Walton have mutually agreed to part ways. Look for Walton to become a top candidate for Sacramento Kings head coaching job.
Sam Amick: As expected, source tells @TheAthletic that Kings GM Vlade Divac will now reach out to Luke Walton to schedule an interview now that his Lakers days are done. As I reported yesterday, Walton is Divac's first choice for this job.
Today, Sacramento Kings General Manager Vlade Divac announced that Dave Joerger has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the team.
“After evaluating the season, I determined that we need to move in a different direction in order to take us to the next level,” said Kings General Manager Vlade Divac. “On behalf of the entire Kings organization, I want to thank Dave for his contributions to our team and I wish him all the best.”
Tension between management and Joerger on playing time for certain young players and relationship strains impacted Divac's decision, sources said. Still, most around the NBA believed the team's rapid improvement under Joerger and significant overperformance based on preseason expectations would have forced the organization to consider a contract extension.
