The Kings and Mike Brown have had discussions about a possible contract extension for the head coach, but there’s a “gulf” between the two sides, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that Brown and the Kings have decided to table those extension discussions.
Brown received a four-year contract when he was hired by Sacramento during the 2022 offseason, but only three years of that deal are guaranteed — the fourth is a mutual option, meaning both sides would have to opt in. That option wasn’t exercised, according to James Ham of The Kings Beat, so Brown will be on an expiring contract if he and the Kings don’t reach an extension agreement by the start of the 2024/25 season.
Brown has led the Kings to a 94-70 (.573) overall regular season record since taking the reins from Alvin Gentry. He guided the franchise to its first playoff berth since 2006 and won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award in 2022/23.
Sacramento was eliminated in the first round of the 2023 postseason, however, and didn’t make the playoffs in Brown’s second year. Despite winning 46 regular season games in ’23/24, the Kings finished outside the top eight in the conference and were eliminated in the second game of the play-in tournament.
Since Brown’s hiring, a number of head coaches around the league – including Monty Williams, Erik Spoelstra, Gregg Popovich, Steve Kerr, and Mike Budenholzer – have signed lucrative multiyear deals worth eight figures annually. According to Ham, Brown is set to make less than $5MM this season.
Recent reports from The Athletic and Yahoo Sports have suggested that Brown’s next deal seems likely to be worth at least $10MM per year, but it sounds as if he and the Kings have a gap to bridge in their negotiations. There’s nothing stopping the team and its coach from reopening their contract talks at any time, but Wojnarowski’s report suggests that’s unlikely to happen in the short term.
Mike brown has really shaped this roster and helped to make them a playoff contender again
Mike Brown back to the Lakers to coach LeBron and his son
LBJ already fired Brown twice lol.
That’s NOT Coach Brown’s Fault that his inept GM refused to give him the neccessary players to make it to the playoffs and go deep into the playoffs. Blame GM McNothing Done for NOT making any meaningful moves last Offseason and Didn’t mkae a single move at the Trade Deadline. He is the sole reason we are Not still in the Playoffs.
I agree, but it’s possible the right moves were not available to the Kings. And the reluctance of ownership to invest in certain upgrades can be added to the accountability depth chart. Regardless, the head coach sits in the scapegoat chair and quite often is dismissed unfairly. Mike Brown seems like he is still the best head coach for the job in Sacramento.
KHE
I know you are a great kingsfan with a lot of emotions
But if we are try to be realistic, then we know thats we have a really good GM
And we can talk about trades, but Monte is doing great work.
Keon Ellis, Keegan, next year Colby
Our future is bright. Last year the Mavs traded for Kryie (11 seed)
The Durant deal for what?
Sorry but I’m really happy with our GM
Where were the big moves he promised the Fan Base during the offseason, last year ?? None Happened. He knew what was needed to go deeper into the Playoffs at the Trade dealine, Again none Happened and, thus we were eliminated in the Play In. If he’s not willing to pull the trigger on any meaningful Trades that would have helped us, then maybe this isn’t the job for him. I bet he let’s Monk walk too.
Mike best thing for congealing talent in cow town for a while !
Best culture shift since Adelman?
Brown is a good coach. The Kings don’t exactly have a rich legacy. Don’t blow this, too. Sign the guy.
Pay the man
Vivek trying to get leverage is going to cost this team as it always has