Kings coach Keith Smart expects assistant Jim Todd to join the New York Knicks' staff.
Mike D'Antoni resigned this week as the Knicks' head coach, along with two assistants. Mike Woodson took over as the interim coach.
Todd, who is in his first season with the Kings, was on Woodson's staff in Atlanta.
"It's a good opportunity for him," Smart said. "He and Mike Woodson are good friends, and even when Mike Woodson and I were coaching in Cleveland, Jim Todd would come in and visit."
This would be the second straight year Smart had lost an assistant coach during the season to another team.
Stephen Silas left Smart's staff with the Warriors when his father, Paul Silas, became the head coach in Charlotte.
Smart said he is prepared to operate without Todd, partly because he emphasizes coaches working and building relationships with all players.
The remaining assistant coaches also would have to take on additional scouting work for the teams that Todd covers.
"Of course, I'll miss him, but in our business, a lot of things change, and people have to make decisions that benefit them," Smart said.
Smart said longtime NBA assistant coach Clifford Ray would remain a special assistant rather than join the staff full time.
Ray will work with the Kings at home and possibly meet with the team on the road to work with players.
Time to exhale – Thursday's NBA trade deadline passed without the Kings making any deals.
Three Pacific Division teams – the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Warriors – made deals.
Smart said he was focused on his roster rather than division rivals.
But the mood did change with players knowing they would stay this season.
"To see the relief with a lot of guys as you moved into (Friday morning's) shootaround, how they were functioning and practicing was a completely different way," Smart said. "They've moved on, and we've moved on."
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