Alvin Gentry Rumors

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.

And while he was brought in by Griffin to serve as a playoff-tested cultural leader, Alvin Gentry’s coaching staff even lobbied the front office to move on from him last season, sources said. There’s now a widespread sense New Orleans is hoping to move Redick to a franchise closer to his family in Brooklyn. “I think they’re just trying to do right by him,” said a league source close to the situation.

Cynics said Walton was merely bringing on his replacement, but Walton’s focus was on how to make the team better and he knew from Golden State that Gentry would add to what he’d like to create in Sacramento. “I’m constantly looking at how we can improve, how we can on the court and off the court culture-wise, what we can do to take our group to the next level,” Walton said. “And as far as culture is concerned, style of play is concerned, Alvin is what I’m looking for. He’s the type of person that I want around, with his energy, with his work ethic, that’s what we want our players to see every day, that’s how we want them to play the game so I want coaches in here that coach like that. And I think Alvin fits that mold perfectly.”

The first thing the Pelicans will work on Sunday is transition defense, according to their new coach. It seems simple, right? But it was something they struggled with last season. They allowed 15.4 fastbreak points, the third-most in the league. Last season, the Pelicans’ issues getting back dogged them from day one. In their eighth game, they gave up 38 fastbreak points to the Raptors after then-coach Alvin Gentry said they had spent all week working on preventing easy opportunities.