Mike Brown had the Sacramento Kings in his corner for a brief but memorable moment. After guiding the team to its first playoff appearance in 17 years and winning NBA Coach of the Year honors, he appeared set to lead them into a bright future.
That’s why the Kings’ sudden decision to part ways with Brown just 31 games into his contract extension shocked many.
The Kings, under ownership led by Vivek Ranadive, have had a turbulent history with head coaches, cycling through four in the first four years of his tenure. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, despite Brown’s success last season, internal rumblings about his future had been brewing for months. Fischer suggests that ownership had started to lose confidence in Brown even after giving him an extension with a significant pay raise.
Brown’s firing comes after a disappointing start to this season, with the Kings sitting at 13-18 (before a loss to the Lakers on Sunday). A major factor in the decision appears to be the team’s struggles to find consistency despite the strong performances from De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
Fischer also notes that internal disagreements regarding player roles — particularly the addition of DeMar DeRozan and how he fit alongside the rest of the roster — could have contributed to the decision.
With Doug Christie now stepping in as interim coach, Sacramento’s future remains uncertain. Fischer believes the Kings aren’t done making moves, with the team still actively looking to make trades ahead of the deadline.
But one thing is clear: the Kings’ coaching carousel continues, with no end in sight.
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